Things You Value The Most In Life The Most Important Thing in Life

[OpaQue 15]

A mail I recieved...

 

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.

[gameratheart 0]

That is such a nice mail to recieve, and it makes my heart feel warm. Thank you for sharing it with us, OpaQue.

[bureX 0]

That really is a nice story, I saved it in my "drafts" folder and it is ready to be sent to anyone that needs some cheering up! Thanks OpaQue!

[jlhaslip 4]

Great story OpaQue. Keep posting these inspirational messages. I love them. And I hope they have a positive influence on all who read them.

[iGuest 3]

This was a beautiful story. We don't realize how short life is. Appreciate the little things in life.