JOSHUA TIME 540

To everyone who is in my life no matter how briefly, I just>>> want to make sure to say:>>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>>> 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.>>> 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">>>