However, after reading Robert (Uncle Bob) William Caster's self-composed obituary in The Toronto Star last week, I will never think of a dash in the same way again. In fact, I will hereafter remember the late Bob Caster every time I type a dash in any of my text.
In his unusual obituary which took up more than 16 double-column inches in The Star (must have cost a small fortune), Bob talked about the uncomfortable reality of the subject of death. He recalled listening to a minister speaking at the funeral of his aunt and referring to the dates appearing in her obituary and no doubt eventually on her grave marker.
The minister noted that first came the date of the aunt's birth followed by a "dash" and the date of the her death. Bob went on to elaborate: "The dates told us how many years she lived on earth, but what mattered most of all was the dash between those years because it represented the passing of time she spent on this earth and only those who knew and loved her know what that little dash contained."
This all started our Bob thinking about his own dash -- who he was and what were the highlights of his life -- so he decided to write a brief summary to fill his dash and to represent the passing of time he spent on earth. That carefully crafted summary, "The Dash in my life", formed the basis of the obituary that stood out so prominently from all the stereotypical others published in the newspaper that day.
Strongly resembling TV producer and host Elwy Yost, Bob's was a simple but busy life, outliving two wives, always surrounded by loving family and good friends. A committed Christian, he was very active in his church and community. He received "an average education" and worked by his admission at many different and interesting jobs.
"I never became President or CEO but I experience(d) and enjoy(ed) great wealth -- not in a monetary sense but in the sense that I was able to see, feel, hear, talk, walk and taste. I never went naked, cold, hungry or without love. I never experienced war or hatred. I had freedom of speech, expression, religion and travel, the opportunity to make a living and to enjoy my 20-year retirement," he empathized.
I can totally relate to Bob Caster's "dash." He lived life to the fullest. He lived and let live. He was fair, honest and accepted others as he wanted others to accept him. I never met Bob but he sure sounded like my kind of guy!
At his request, cremation took place before his obituary actually ran for two days in The Star. He insisted on no floral or monetary tributes. "If for some reason you wish to remember me, please do it with a kind smile, deed, word, a simple phone call or by a visit to someone who needs you..." were the heartfelt, concluding words in Bob's obituary.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Bob Caster's Life, more correctly his "dash" (June 4, 1937 - July 27, 2016), was held on Thursday evening, August 11, 2016, at the Stephen Leacock Museum in Orillia.
As I put together this item for Wrights Lane, I realized that while all dashes are identical in appearance, everyone ends up with one that is completely unique. I wondered too what my own dash would eventually look like...Quite frankly, I have a feeling that it would not be worth a dash, but that's another story and we won't go there!
I hope that you derive a degree of satisfaction from your own dash, dear reader...After all, it will someday represent your life -- start to finish. It is never too late to add a small legacy to it!
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