Bringing Balance to our Time
I struggled with "T." I had already written the piece about turning tragedy into triumph when I received a poignant email. I felt strongly about the tragedy piece because it is something therapists deal with almost daily. But I can't get away from the feeling that someone will receive something from this perspective on time as well. At times others can capture our sentiments better than we ever could. This is one of those times. So, before we move on to "U," please take a moment to enjoy this unknown author's reflections on time:
His mother's voice came over the phone, "Jack, Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."
Memories flashed through Jack's mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days. It had been a long time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career and life itself got in the way. 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 had no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.
"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 made 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, Jack kept his word. 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 went with his mom to see Mr. Belser's old house one last 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 that 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."
Two weeks after Mr. Belser died Jack returned home from work and 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."
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."
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."
His heart raced as tears filled his eyes. Jack used the small key taped to the letter to carefully unlock 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?" his assistant, Janet, asked.
"I need some time to spend with my son," Jack explained. "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"