Last March in this space it was my privilege to try honoring San Joaquin Valley PCA/consultant Galen Hiett of Fresno, Calif., upon his retirement after almost five decades of working for the betterment of California agriculture.
A few were kind enough to say they appreciated my comments about the role Galen and his peers played protecting the food and fiber crops grown in the valley.
I heard that the preacher at the church where Galen and his wife Loraine are members used some of my comments in a sermon. I am certainly no theologian, but the honor was much appreciated. Unfortunately, the same commentary was used at Galen's funeral. Shortly after Galen and his wife returned from a cruise his friends had given him as a retirement present, he was diagnosed with leukemia. He died Oct. 14.
It is a fate that awaits us all. Those left behind mourn and reflect on the legacies that remain. Our life will be represented by the dash on our tombstone, the one between our date of birth and date of death.
Linda Ellis wrote a poem called “The Dash.”
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning … to the end.
He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth …
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars … the house … the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So think about this long and hard …
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is
left. (You could be at “dash midrange.”)
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile …
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy's being read
with your life's actions to rehash …
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?
Galen's dash was filled with acts of kindness, unwavering integrity, love of God, family and friends. He was a humble pioneer in a profession born in California and now recognized worldwide as more than a consultant — a California Pest Control Advisor. He was a mentor to all. He left a legacy not soon forgotten. We'll all follow Galen. If we can make our dash like Galen's, we will leave behind a better world.