Will my ", but....."s be what people remember most?

   When you read a story of someone famous and/or accomplished at the time of their death, likely somewhere in the middle there is a comma followed by 'but........'.  The story then proceeds to detail the things that aren't as positive.  It may not follow that exact format, but you'll know to what I'm referring when you read one.
   I noticed it again yesterday while reading about Geraldine Ferraro's death.  Some of the events pointed out by the article's author weren't even her ", but........"s.  Her husband was charged with fraud.  Her son was charged with selling cocaine.  Were those events worth mentioning with her highlights?  I know she had her own missteps for which to answer.  Why are they important?  Is it because we don't want any one person to seem too accomplished or too special.
   It made me wonder, what will my ", but........" be?  I'm neither famous nor accomplished so perhaps it doesn't matter.  Then again, will the people with whom I spent my time remember me by the moments that were not so stellar?  (To my immediate family I plead, just smile quietly when recalling the Ice Cream incident!) Will it make a difference that I've tried to always do the right thing?  I'm not always successful and I've embarrassed myself on more than one occasion. 
   The best part/worst part is, I think I still have time to get it right, both the 'doing the right thing' and the 'screwing it up royally'.
   There is a poem that fits this thought and I absolutely love it.  It focuses on what we do and who we are, rather than what we have and who we know.
{ I don't think I'm breaking any copyright laws by reprinting it here since I've cited the author!   : ) }

HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He told of the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears.
But 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 small line is worth.

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 what 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 that 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.

We could 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
Will you be proud of the things they said
About how you spent your dash.