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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.
Ideas to Ponder
1. At least 2 people in this world love
you so much they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if
they don't like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to
sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you
want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to
do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you
will get it or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good
can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you,
take a look you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget
about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will
feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them
know that they are great.
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