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 to be honest I thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he asked 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 my 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 mother asked. "The box is gone," he said. "What box"? Mom asked. "There was a small gold box that he kept on the 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'd better get some sleep, I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser had died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. The note said. "Signature required for delivery, no one home. Please stop by the main post office within three days." Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small package 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 package to his car and ripped it opened. Inside was a small 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," the note said. Taped to the note was a small key. His heart racing, as tears filled his eyes, Jack carefully opened 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 murmured. 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.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND, BY THE WAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. SHARE YOUR JOURNEY.