sugarbear

A young man learns what's most important in life.
> It had been some time since Rusty had seen the old man. College,
> girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Rusty moved
> clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the
rush of
his busy life, Rusty 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.
> "Rusty, 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," Rusty
> 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," Rusty said.
>
> "You know, Rusty, 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,"
Rusty said.
>
> As busy as he was, he kept his word. Rusty 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, Rusty and his Mom stopped
>
> by to see the old house next door one more time. Standing in the
>
> doorway, Rusty 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....Rusty stopped suddenly. "What's wrong,
> Rusty?"
>
> "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, '" Rusty said. It was gone.
>
> Everything about the house was exactly how rusty 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," Rusty 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 Rusty 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 Rusty 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.
>
> Rusty took the box out to his car and ripped open the package.
>
> There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Rusty's hands
>
> shook as he read the note inside. "Upon my death, please forward
>
> this box and its contents to Rusty in Tennessee. It's the thing I
> valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His
heart
> racing,as tears filled his eyes, Rusty 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:
>
> "Rusty, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."
>
> "The thing he valued most...was...my time."
>
> Rusty 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. There are people in this world who love you so much they would
die
>
> for you.
>
> 2. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they
don't
> like or know you.
>
> 3. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
>
> 4... You mean the world to someone.
>
> 5. If not for you, someone may not be living.
>
> 6. You are special and unique...
>
> 7. 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.
>
> 8. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still
>
> come from it.
>
> 9. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look:
>
> you most likely turned your back on the world.
>
> 10. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.
>
> 11. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about
>
> the rude remarks.
>
> 12. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much
>
> better when they know and you'll both be happy.
>
> 13. 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.
>

rjosey8385

I'd seen that before...always a good reminder of what's really important!

Cats In The Cradle
( Harry Chapin )

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad"
"You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play"
"Can you teach me to throw?"
I said, "Not today, I got a lot to do"
He said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah"
"You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Dad?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and then said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys"
"See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time"
"You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu"
"But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad"
"It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
Yeah, my boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little Boy Blue and the Man on the Moon
"When you comin' home, Son?"
"I don't know when, but we'll get together then"
"You know we'll have a good time then"

Chazmo

rj, love that song!

Matt_in_VA

Life is so short, and not always sweet.
Sometimes we win, and sometimes we get beat.
The secret to life is not always this clear
But who we touch, and what we hold dear.

As we have all wondered, why am I here,
I look at the world and it brings me to tears.
What is the purpose of my own life,
In a world with it

Kyras

Sugarbear (Wayne),

I just read this thread for the first time. I thought it was a joke before I read it, since the title said FRIEDSHIPS not friendships. I'm glad you posted it but if you can edit the title, you may get more responses.

I hadn't been on S2ki for over 24 hours, from Saturday afternoon to last night. I was pleased to read some posts directed to me from Rob (Ralper) and Matt (matt_inva). This post of yours made me think of them and the friendship I have with them (and other S2ki-ers). It's not conventional and it's hard to explain to non S2ki people (as most of you understand) but they're an important part of my life.

ralper

Patty

That is exactly how I feel too. The friends that I have made here are some of my closest. In spite of the fact that it is unconventional, and that most people don't understand it, the Vintage Owners Group, and the people that frequent it are amazing and great and my good friends.

sugarbear

Thanks Patty, "FRIED" I must have posted this Friday AM, thinking about the seafood meals here at work.
I't strange how something as impersonal as an S 2000 or a Miata can draw people who have nothing else in common and sometimes have never met into great friendships, and to the outsiders it's