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.
At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would
die for you.
At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they
don't like you.
Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
You mean the world to someone.
If not for you, someone may not be living.
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
jackarias
acerbob
Related Professionals
Windham Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Walnut Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Maple Heights Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Brentwood Landscape Contractors · Byram Landscape Contractors · Hannibal Landscape Contractors · La Mirada Landscape Contractors · Newberg Landscape Contractors · Thornton Landscape Contractors · Coffeyville General Contractors · Klamath Falls General Contractors · Milton General Contractors · Mount Vernon General Contractors · New Baltimore General Contractors · Riverdale General Contractorsmlwgardener
shep3327
cherig22
iang
jord729
Edie34
razz
Florafeline