A lesson in time
"Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday," Jack’s mother says over the phone. “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."
"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him, he'd ask how you were.”
"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," Jack said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things. I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.
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. 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.
"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."
Two weeks later Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required. Please stop by the post office.” Jack retrieved the package. The return address said, "Mr. Harold Belser." Jack opened the package. There inside was the gold box and a note.
"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. Tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside was a beautiful gold pocket watch.
Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover and read the engraving: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -- Harold Belser."
"The thing he valued most was my time!"
Life sometimes teaches us a hard lesson about using our time and opportunities to relate to others with the love God calls us to.
The wind is from the south today. The sky is blue. The temperature is above zero on this November morning. I didn’t miss it! Take time to turn at beauty’s glance. Thank you, God.
Time! In a poem “The Door of Dreams” Jesse Rittenhouse says, I often passed the Door of Dreams / But never stepped inside. Sometimes the door was open. Then one day as she passed, I saw / You standing in the door.
Time and reality exist. And we are in that mix. The presence of family, of spouse, of friend and of love, colours our experience and fulfills our dreams. Events become the blessed part of our lives. Nothin' last forever, but the earth and sky / It slips away / And all your money won't another minute buy. So sings the rock band Kansas in the song “Dust in the wind.”
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