04.14.1912 - 12.25.2010

clara's memorial service was on friday, 1.7.2011 at her church in diamond springs.  we knew that the church was going to be filled with people because clara touched a lot of people.  i didn't realize she donated a lot of her time to her community and charity organizations.  clara was organized in life and she was also organized after her death.  she had a list of who was going to speak at her memorial.  before her death, clara had even asked the pastor (sandy) that she would like sandy to do her memorial.  i could only imagine what a relief it is to her children to have everything all spelled out and organized. 

the reception afterwards was also filled with clara's friends and family.  i don't think the hall was big enough for everyone.  by the way, the community named the hall "clara scheiber building" several years ago because of her volunteer work to her community. 

i will miss playing cards with clara.  i will miss her spunkiness - always speaking what's on her mind.  she was a special lady.



The Dash Poem

by Linda Ellis

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 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,

That can still be rearranged.

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 is being read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?