FAMILY ONCE YOU READ THIS  YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!

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.

To everyone of my CH Family Member that read this " Thanks for your time." Rather it's when you listen to me, when you Pray for me or when you just think of me.... THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

I Love Each Of You [smiley=hug.gif] [smiley=hug.gif]
LadyLuv


    

It's with tears in my eyes, Ruthie, that I thank you back.

You are lovely.

Jeannie

Thanks for your time, Ruthie.

Thank-you Ruthie!

love,
me

Ruthie,

Even though we've never met, I know you are truly one of a kind and someone very special.  Thank you for posting this for we all need to be reminded of what's really important in life.  Please know the love you give is returned to you ten-fold.   [smiley=hug.gif]

Lynae'

Ruthie, you are one special lady...I have read over the years from you and see nothing but a wonderful and thoughtful beautiful human being that you are with nothing but love in your heart...I thank you for all that you have contributed to this board.....Lenny

Thank you, Luv....for a lot of things!  Friends like you are precious.

Thanks for taking the time to post this Ruthie.  You are a very special lady.

Ruthie - thanks for your time in reminding us of what's really important in our life.   You truly are a treasure.

Hugs
Carol

Ruthy, thanks for your time. The time you sit talking with me, the time you spend responding to my posts, the time you spend putting all those damned bags together so everyone at the conference has a "party bag", every sufferer, and every supporter at the get togethers. They're filled with dumb stuff like the cool lighters that look like an E-Tank...(still on my fireplace mantel)...the goofy stuffed dog,...(now residing on the dashboard of my MPV)...and all the love you stuff into them! [smiley=hug.gif] You're  a neat lady Ruthy.

Joe

My Darling Family, I realized that it was long... But it was what my heart felt for each of you guys, and I wanted you to know....

I think of my life before I met this group; and I think of it now... I remember E-Double, Jackie, Linda H., Racer, Jean, DJ, Grandma_Sweet_Boy (Carol), Elaine and others dragging me back from the cliff edge.. Giving me a reason to live... sitting up all night with me on the computer and phone...... and others sending me care packages.. Yes, this is one helluva group...

I don't think God made a more caring group of people...

LadyLuv

Bless your heart, Ruthie....you still love us even after Racer and I broke into your room :P 
Wasn't funny them but we can smile about it now.

Ruthie, I have treasured your time for several years now since I got to meet you.  I appreciated you before, but now I treasure you, and your time.  I too thank this whole family for their time.  I know I've rubbed some fur the wrong way and I've tried to rub some the right way,but for all the time I've spent on this board I am the one who has gained from it.


Jerry

Yes.   BLESS YOUR HEART Ruthi.   ;D

I love you Ruthie. [smiley=hug.gif]

It's posts like this that keep me here.....what all of us do here means something and sometimes I tend to forget that.

Ruthie my life would be poorer without you....

Funny, isn't it...how this second family of ours has managed to wrap themselves around our hearts?

  When a group of us were in St. Louis at the mall and came around the corner to be surprised by Bill and Pat, (who we thought were not going to be able to be there)  I couldn't have been happier & teary-eyed,  if it was one of my own biological family. 

    You are definetly a treasure to me  Ruthie, as are so many others here.

   

I'm so proud to be a part of this family.   Thank you for taking me in...


Jeannie

Linda_Howell wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2011 at 7:39pm:

Funny, isn't it...how this second family of ours has managed to wrap themselves around our hearts?   When a group of us were in St. Louis at the mall and came around the corner to be surprised by Bill and Pat, (who we thought were not going to be able to be there)  I couldn't have been happier & teary-eyed,  if it was one of my own biological family.      You are definetly a treasure to me  Ruthie, as are so many others here.

And if we didn't feel the same way, we never would have come.

I know it sounds trite, but we love you guys and gals as much as we do our own flesh and blood. Every single one of you.

I love most of you more than some of my kin.

Jerry

Yeah? Well I love you more than infinity plus one....

Check it out....a lurrrrve pissing contest.

Callico wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2011 at 10:22pm:

I love most of you more than some of my kin. Jerry

I agree wholeheartedly.

Thank you ALL for your time spent here.
:-*

Did I mention you Bill?   :-*  (That'll keep you guessing!)

Racer1_NC wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2011 at 1:13pm:

It's posts like this that keep me here.....what all of us do here means something and sometimes I tend to forget that. Ruthie my life would be poorer without you....

As Would Mine Racer :'( :'( (tears of joy)... as would mine..

Family, Thank You... we know that so many of us love/like each other... but trust me.. it is always good to hear it express sometime.. Not in a tangible way, but in words...

Touching. :)