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 thecountry in pursuit of his dreams.There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think aboutthe past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working onhis future, and nothing could stop him.Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. Thefuneral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreelas 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 ofhim. 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 weredoing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of thefence' 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 makesure 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 thisbusiness if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things hethought 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 hishometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no childrenof 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 seethe old house next door one more time.Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossingover into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house wasexactly 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 musthave 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 rememberedit, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had takenit."Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I betterget some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from workone day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on apackage. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the nextthree days," the note read.Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old andlooked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting wasdifficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. HaroldBelser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open thepackage.There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as heread 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 theletter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlockedthe box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched thecover. 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 clearedhis 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 momentsthat take our breath away,"This mail Buster sent me made me really think about a few things, and it was also a good english lesson as i had to check for many words in the dictionary.Thanks dear Buster, you have always been a fantastic friend.
We often forget to spend time with our dear ones, especially when they need us the most.We think other things are more important than spending the time with family and friends, however; it's highly contrary to facts. People around us not only need money and other material things from us, they also need our attention, care and love.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"---------- It's very true.
Thanks a lot for sharing this interesting story. And you're very lucky to have a nice friend like Buster!
Thanks for your interest and your comment to this post. I am sorry but i have to tell you that i do not use skype to chat. The only reason i have it is to be able to call my close ones when i travel. So please, don't take it personaly, i am not a "chat person" If you still wish to chat about something specific, please send me a message and we both will decide of a "right time" to chat here. Right now i am back on the road, so i won't have many opportunities to come online. But i will be happy to answer your messages anytime i can. Thanks again for your interest.
Dear Nebia,
As always, i can count on you to have a look at my blog and i am not suprise you also like this story... you have a heart as big as Buster has :))
Hello Jason,
Thanks for the interest you always give to my blog, it's always nice to know people will read what we are writting here, it's encouraging.
Yes, i am extremely lucky to have Buster as true friend. Without knowing it, he teaches me a lot about life, he has lived so many things in his long life and he is for me a good exemple, an open heart full of love.
Comments
Dear Nida,
Thanks for reading my post and for writting me your opinion.
What a touching story Forget-me-not.
We often forget to spend time with our dear ones, especially when they need us the most.We think other things are more important than spending the time with family and friends, however; it's highly contrary to facts. People around us not only need money and other material things from us, they also need our attention, care and love.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments
that take our breath away,"---------- It's very true.
Thanks a lot for sharing this interesting story. And you're very lucky to have a nice friend like Buster!
Thanks for your interest and your comment to this post. I am sorry but i have to tell you that i do not use skype to chat. The only reason i have it is to be able to call my close ones when i travel. So please, don't take it personaly, i am not a "chat person" If you still wish to chat about something specific, please send me a message and we both will decide of a "right time" to chat here. Right now i am back on the road, so i won't have many opportunities to come online. But i will be happy to answer your messages anytime i can. Thanks again for your interest.
Manuela
i hope you can add me .my skpe name is meditation1231.
i want have a chat with you .
As always, i can count on you to have a look at my blog and i am not suprise you also like this story... you have a heart as big as Buster has :))
Thanks for the interest you always give to my blog, it's always nice to know people will read what we are writting here, it's encouraging.
Yes, i am extremely lucky to have Buster as true friend. Without knowing it, he teaches me a lot about life, he has lived so many things in his long life and he is for me a good exemple, an open heart full of love.
Thank your friend dearest and wish him a long life.