ENTRY # FIFTEN HUNDRED & 4 A

Good Morning.

This below is a little something extra that I have this Thursday morning. It was too long to put in my regular entry so I decided to do it this way, I am still writing my reguar entry.    #  1504  Dad.

Hope everyone enjoys this one.  It's worth reading.  And sharing.      Something worth repeating. - a fairly long read but worthwhile   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 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.   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 sent this to"Thanks for your time" SPAY/NEUTER AND ADOPT CATS.  http://www.bestfriends.org   I need someone's help. I have misplaced the name of the one who sent the above to me, If it was you would you please let me know because I need to give proper credit to you.  DAD