Aaron Robert Singer

October 25, 1976 – February 18, 2014

The Dash

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 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?

Aaron was born October 25, 1976 as one of the family’s bicentennial babies. He grew up in East Orlando and graduated from Colonial High School. Many of the children he grew up with and his classmates remained friends throughout his life. After High School, Aaron joined the Army, completing basic training in Alabama and then being stationed in Germany, Bosnia and California. He was a chemical munitions specialist. After getting out of the Army, he returned home to Orlando, where he had lived his entire life. He held a few jobs before settling at Windstream several years ago. He was a successful sales representative with the company and was friends with many of those he worked with. Aaron enjoyed shooting, paintball, camping, animals and spending time with family and friends. Aaron spent his life being a good friend to those who knew him, loving his family and being loved by all. The day he died, February 18, 2014, was the end of his life here on earth, but he will be in our hearts and memories forever.

Aaron was preceded in death by his father Robert S. Singer and Uncle Ronald Vickers. He is survived by his mother, Linda Goforth and his step-father, James Goforth; his step Mother, Missy Singer; Grandmother, Annette Singer; Step Grandparents Jean and Roy Soper; brothers, Chris, Ricky, Ryan, Scott, and Mathew; Aunts/Uncles, Stan V, Marilyn, Pam, Beverly, Tom, Stan S, Billy, Cathy, and Susanne; and Nieces/Nephews, Ashely, Jessica, Brianna, TJ, Gabe, Brookelyn, Lala, Alayna, and Dixie; and his cat, Nahla. He will be missed by a multitude of other family members and friends. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Aaron R Singer at http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/