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ponytail
19 years ago

Hopefully Spike will forgive me for posting this in a couple places, but I know some people don't head over to the plant forum and this is something I wanted to share.

This is not only for all who have helped me but for all who have lent a hand in any form along the way.

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,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

  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.

Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you

will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their

perspective on life, ............for the better.

To everyone who ever talked or traded or lent a prayer for me "Thanks for your time" Blessings Ella

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