Gift of Time

Recently a friend sent me a story. It brought tears to my eyes as I was reading it not only because the story itself was moving, but also because I could relate to it at a very deep level.  It brought back a very profound memory. What will it do for you?

But before I tell Jack’s story I’ll tell you mine. After you’ve read the stories I’d be delighted if you would share your story about time.

My Story

I grew up on a little farm of only 6 ½ acres, four miles north of Mission B.C. Canada. Our house was on the slope of a big hill. People from the eastern part of Canada and the US might call it a mountain.

From our dining room window we had a view of the valley below and our neighbor’s farms down the road.

The parents of the families of two of our closest neighbors were brothers and sisters, so the children were double cousins. Between the two families there were 12 children and I only had one brother and he was almost seven years older than I was.

So I would often “live” at one or both of the neighbor’s houses. When it was dinner time, my mother would call me with a whistle if I didn’t come home when I was supposed to. She used a whistle because in those days we didn’t have a telephone.

I called both sets of parent’s aunt and uncle because I was so close to all four of them and their children were my dearest friends. When I was in my preteens one “uncle” downed in a boating accident, and shortly thereafter she remarried and moved away.

As my own mother died when I was 18, I became even closer to the remaining “aunt and uncle”, but particularly to Aunt Mae. She was a kind and gentle woman, who had spent two years in a tuberculosis sanatorium when she was in her late 40’s.

She was an incredibly self-giving woman. Her giving and love were totally unconditional. She would always take the time to answer my questions which were numerous, and even vetted my Grade 12 exams, when I had to take a year out from school because of a car accident.

She and my “Uncle Pete” stored furniture for me when we sold the family farm and I went off to university. She remembered my birthdays, invited me to visit and always kept in touch.

As I created my own world in Vancouver, I travelled less and less back to Mission. In fact, for years I didn’t keep up my part of the friendship except for sending a Christmas card.

But I always knew she was there for me, completely without judgment, always loving, always willing to support me whenever I needed to get back to my roots.

She died a couple of years ago at age 92. I regret that I didn’t take more time to nurture our friendship. I often thought of her but rarely took any action beyond the thought even though I sometimes felt guilty when she came into my mind’s eye.

It was not only my loss, but also hers as she was always grateful and happy to see me. We gave each other joy.

Looking back I realize there’s no greater gift in a relationship than to love give joy to each other.

I thought I was too busy with more important things to do than to take the time to keep in touch. But we only have time and how we use it is the key.

Now Here’s Jack’s Story

You may have heard it before, but I feel it’s worth telling again.

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,”

Caught in the hustle and bustle of life you may not realize it, but it’s 100% true. Reflect on this for a moment.

Your Are A Gift

There are at least two people in this world who love you unconditionally, just for who you are.

There are at least 15 people in this world and probably more who love you in some way.

A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t know or like you. Believe it or not, your smile increases the beauty of the universe.

Every day, SOMEONE thinks about you even if you’re not aware of it.

You mean the world to someone.

If not for you, someone may not be living.

You Are Special And Unique

There has never been or ever will be anyone in the history of the universe that has your experiences, capacity or understanding. Don’t you think it’s selfish not to share your unique gifts with the world? This moment is the only time you have.

If you have a friend, take the time to let them know how much you value their friendship.

Surrender Takes Time

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.

Be grateful that you have the capacity to act!

Let all the people you care about know about this Blog post. If you do, you will certainly brighten someone’s day and might change their perspective on life…for the better…and forever.

If you have a story and insights on how you gift your time, please share it with your fellow readers.

And to all of you reading this, ” Thanks for your time”.

Joyce Friesen, Founder

Novalis Integra Center for Healing and Transformation