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Patsy Lake Bears
Sydney
Posts: 3,442

patsylakebears Feb 18, 2008

----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2008 8:21 AM
Subject: The old box

I received this from a friend and thought it was so true, so I thought I would post it here for each and everyone of you.

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.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.

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.

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 I send this to "

Thanks for
your time