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Time (Get the tissues ready!)
- Apr 6, 2009 at 8:56 AM
- By
- Comments (15) Total Views (274) Everyone can see this journal post.
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.
"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.
"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," Jack said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. So Jack came back for the funeral, which was uneventful as 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, then....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. "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."
After returning home from his trip, Jack discovered a package in his mailbox. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took 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.
Comments:
I love this story, even if it does bring tears. Thank you for posting.
How beautiful. Kinda reminds me of the song Believe by Brooks and Dunn, as I read this, I could hear that song in my head. It is really sad how we are so busy doing nothing, when we could be so busy loving those around us. God Bless you. Thanks for sharing.
Let's not look like this SweetPea about this subject. Let's spend time with our Children while we can!////
Goosebumps. This is what children always need.
Awww... that was too touching
beautiful
This brought tears to my eyes. Since my ex and I divorced 4 years ago, he decided not to have any contact with our children.
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I'm so happy you chose to post this story.Our "Time" here is so precious and yet we forget until someone takes the "Time" to remind us.Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! Your a good friend to have on this site!
- moomers
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