I want to thank you for your time you spend here with me.

@Lakota12 (42600)
United States
February 2, 2008 8:29am CST
I hope all who reds this likes it as much as I did. and thanks for your time! 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 filled 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 said to himself. I cried on this one so sad! 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 the statements below. You may not realize it, but they are 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. and that some one might be me! 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 . When you love them tell them so. 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! '
5 people like this
8 responses
• United States
6 Feb 08
Man that is such a good and sad story thanks for sharing and I love every moment spent with ya here on my lot and on line and the phone
2 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 Feb 08
your welcome andd thanks I feel the same about you! hugs
1 person likes this
• Canada
5 Feb 08
Hi again. So glad you decided to offer this to the Mylot community. I really appreciated it when you sent it to me and felt sure everyone would value the message as we both have. So much of what we do here on Mylot is offer each our interest, care, compassion, understanding and most importantly...TIME. So it is a natural fit...and I have cut and pasted in in my inspirational ideas file to share with others. Another 'pay if forward' idea that continues to create a positive ripple effect. Good job as always my friend! Raia
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
5 Feb 08
am so glad you sugjested it I had thought to do it but for somereason I dont know I wasnt sure about putting it in here. and to me I would think more people would have read it by now! Yup another pay forward thats for sure I dont think alot of mylot friends have me on notify for I hardly get any thing back from them and I have about 90 friends on my list lol. thanks hugs and blessings
2 people like this
• Canada
18 Feb 08
I can never figure out why some topics grab people's attention and others do not. Maybe people do not have their alerts on..or are busy. Who knows? What I do know is how much I appreciate your on-going support of my topics...and similarly why I visit your and comment whenever I am here. So at least we are loyal to each other...and I appreciate that...and the way we keep in touch. At least you made your ten on this one...and that is a little cha-ching! I loved this when you sent it to me and am glad you offered it to others. Take care...and thank you for your time, care and interest...you are my special buddy! I checked out all the new photos you posted of Chey...and commented on a couple. She is soooooo cute and I love her pink princess room! Special room for a very special child. Looks like you are enjoying your new camera too! With this new one we got yesterday...I am REALLY happy with it! Raia Raia
@Willowlady (10658)
• United States
2 Feb 08
This is a nice story to share with many folks. Tis a grand thing to be able to share it here at Mylot. We find value in folks and often do not share it and each person brings something new to our lives to appreciate if we but will. Thanks for sharing this!!
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 Feb 08
awwwwwwwww ty so much and glad you enjoyed it and your most welcome
1 person likes this
@meme0907 (3481)
• United States
3 Feb 08
Hey LKO, That really touched me there were things that REALLY applied to my life-I'm gonna forward that email it is really special.It made me think & nearly brought tears to my eyes {you know my personal situation LKo) +'S |:)
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Feb 08
yup alot applied to mine to and I did cry! So proud ya liked it and this was a way to have more people read it but realy not many have! they just dont know what they are missing huh? hugs!
1 person likes this
@mummymo (23706)
3 Feb 08
Awww Lakota sweet I have read this before but it always gives me a lump in my throat and makes me think of what is important. Thank you sweetheart for the reminder and thank you for being such a great friend, HUGS xxx
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Feb 08
was my first time reading it and I had emailed it on and it was sugjested to me to put it in here so when I got it sent back to me I did. and yuor so welcome hugs! thanks for your time and thanks for being MY friend!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
7 Feb 08
Thank you for sharing this. I've read the second part of it before but never the first..and it's a tearjerker! Then I get weepy at a lot of things that can tug the heart.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
7 Feb 08
yup I had read the 2nd part first but added it any way just incasesome hadnt read it. Yup made me cry too. hugs
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
2 Feb 08
I have read this a few times and I love it each time and it is so true
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
2 Feb 08
this was my first time on the first part. hugs
1 person likes this
• United States
15 Feb 08
This is touching and made my eyes water. I highlighted this and am going to send it on to all my dear friends. May we never forget to tell our loved ones and loved friends that we appreciate them and love them. I had never seen this before. Another great post.
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
15 Feb 08
thanks for you responce and your welcome and thanks for your time hugs