>From: "joy {USER_LASTNAME}" <joymomgram@...>
>Reply-To: "joy {USER_LASTNAME}" <joymomgram@...>
>To: "Joy Morris" <joymomgram@...>
>Subject: Fw: A poem for life.
>Date: Sat, 8 Jan 2005 11:29:24 -0500
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: IRENE BROUARD
>To: Katrina ; Amy Adrion ; Betty Rodriguez ; Bruce & Carol Brouard ;
>Chantal Fequiere ; ctrenary ; Devilsgrin ; Dirk Weber ; Maryanne Janusz ;
>boylenj5@... ; spiderswoman426@... ; helsur@... ;
>rivdbassman30@... ; virtual1974r@... ;
>Viceadmiral2678@...
>Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 6:44 PM
>Subject: A poem for life.
>
>
>This is a beautiful story. Not meant to be tear jerking. With the way the
>years roll by so fast, one day at a time, this is worth reading.
>
>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 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"
>