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Sep 13 2010
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philosophy, friendship, thank you, appreciation
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The Story of "Thank You" | appreciation
Jul.08, 2010 in Success and Motivation
The Story of "Thank You"
A young man learns what is 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
has been so long since I thought of him.
I am 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 would 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 is
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 will 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 would 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 is 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 is 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
wha
