A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.
It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him. Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?" "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said. "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him. "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said. "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said. "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said. As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away. The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture...Jack stopped suddenly. "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.. "The box is gone," he said. "What box?" Mom asked. "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it. "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read. Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser." "The thing he valued most was...my time." Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked. "I need some time to spend with my son," he said. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!" "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away," Not sure if this was posted here but still hits home... Jade |
What a fabulous story!!!
Thanks so much for the reminder, I can't wait to forward it to my fam and friends :) HUGS |
Wonderful story and so true, thanks for taking the time to post.
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Great story!
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Thanks !
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Very Touching !!
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Thanks for the reminder :) something to never forget!!
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Thank you SO much for this.
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Lovely story, Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for the story!
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Very true, many do not appreciate what others do for them, the time that they take
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Now you've gone and made me cry.
What we say will be forgotten long before what we do. Time spent with your children is a far better investment than money in the bank and will have a much greater return. |
Such a sweet and touching story. It made me cry when I read the last part.
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okay, where's the kleenex?????
Loved the story. |
Sniff, sniff, where is a tissue when you need one :cry: Lovely story, thanks for posting. :D
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We all need to be reminded of what is important....Thanks for doing it! :D :thumbup:
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Thank you for sharing this touching story with us :D:D:D
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Fantastic story--glory bumps all over!!!
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that was lovely I have read this before but enjoyed the reminder. Thanks
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Thank you for sharing.
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SO TRUE !!!!! Spend it wisely.. it never comes back around !!!!!
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Oh great, you've gone and made me cry so hard. Thank you for a beautiful story.
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Thank you for the reminder of what we have to offer others.
Simply talking to them, letting them talk, will make memories for a life time. Recently a cousin and I, who haven't met face to face for over 50 years, were chatting online. He and I did not remember most all the same things, but what we did remember was the time our uncles and aunts, and most of all, our little hillbilly Grandma spent with us. We both have the same work ethic, we still tell the same old jokes we heard and laughed at as children, and we both hope that we've given the same gift to our own kids to remember. |
Just a message to the young people on the Quilting Forum. Slow down. Stop and smell the roses. Time slips by so quickly. Savor the moments.
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How very true. Thanks for reminding us.
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Beautiful story. Thank you.
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Yeah! more kleenex. What a great story. :XD:
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What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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Thank you very much Jade. I appericate your time for sharing this with us.
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Thanks for such a wonderful story.
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That brought tears to my eyes. Wonderful story. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for sharing this beautiful story.
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