Time OT

[capt jake]

Got this in the e-mail today; it touched me, hopefully you too.

Don't scan it, you have to read it through. I was told that by SWMBO!

The Importance of 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

keptlocked 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."

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 in a higher power 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 will come of it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take another 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.

I sent this letter to all the people I care about, if you also

do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change

Their perspective on life . . . for the better.

So everyone to whom I sent this "Thanks for your time."