- Author unknown
This is a story about a young man who learned what is very important in life from a neighbor gentleman who lived next door to him as he grew up.
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It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, marriage, fatherhood 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 little time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
One evening his mother called on the phone and told him, "Mr. Belser died last night, Jack. His funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through Jack’s mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days and the many hours of time he had spent with his next door neighbor, Mr. Belser.
"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 had 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," his Mom told him.
"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.
"You know, Jack, after your father died, it was Mr. Belser who stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said.
"He's the one who taught me carpentry. I wouldn't be in the business I’m in now 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,” said Jack.
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 back 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 it. 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,'" answered Jack.
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 probably taken it.
"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. “Well, I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home tomorrow, Mom."
It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. The note read, "Signature required for a package. No one at home. Please stop by the Main Post Office within the next three days.”
Early the next day Jack went to the Post Office and retrieved the package. It was a small-sized box, and it 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, and 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 to spend some time with my son," he said.
"Oh, by the way, Janet, I really appreciate all the dedicated hard work and time you have given on your job to help me.”
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Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12 NIV
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:4 NLT
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town, stay there a year, conduct business, and make money.” You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13-14 NIV
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9 NIV
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If you have a story that you think might bless others, I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.
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