“Welcome to The Little Town with a Big Heart”
The Thing I Value Most – author unknown
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, 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.
Services at Grace United was great with baptizing during morning service.
PRAYER REQUESTS for the Week: Our Country, Sandra Buckley, William Turman family, Dannie Walker, Marie Eason, Versie Lou Overstreet family from Varnado, La., Ann Hodges, Bonnie Walker, Cheryl Stacy, Mike Linton, Bill Matlock, Lorene Smith, John Patterson, Doyle Gibbs, Doyle McMullan, Cili Norman, Johnnie McMullian, Aaron Stokes, Stephanie Roland, Betty Kennedy, Janie McMullan, Stacy Stevens.
SHUT- INS in the surrounding communities are Earline Everett, Christine Herd, Ola Jean Parker, Mary Stamper, Abertine Walker.
BIRTHDAY REQUESTS FOR THE WEEK: AUG. 25 to Betty Whitman; Aug. 26 to Barbara Blass; AUG. 27 to David Todd,
Erin Michelle Plunkett. Happy Birthday to each one.
ANNIVERSARIES FOR THE WEEK; AUG. 25 to Ronnie and Becky Norman, 50 YEARS), CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU AND MANY MORE YEARS OF HAPPINESS!!
Flower of the month is the Gladious.
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Banana Nut Cake with Double Cream Frosting; INGREDIENTS: Pillsbury™ Baking Spray with Flour,
Mix, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 ripe bananas, peeled and mashed, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup Crisco® Pure Vegetable Oil, 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, DOUBLE CREAM FROSTING: 3/4 cup heavy cream. 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup Crisco® All-Vegetable Shortening, OR 1/2 stick Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon banana extract.
Preparation directions: Step 1 . Heat oven to 350°F. Spray two 9-inch round cake pans with flour no-stick cooking spray. Step 2. Combine cake mix with remaining cake ingredients in bowl of electric mixer; blend on low speed 1 minute; scrape sides of the bowl. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes, scraping sides down as needed. Divide between prepared pans.
· Step 3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely.
DOUBLE CREAM FROSTING: Step 1Whip cream until peaks form; set aside. Place cream cheese and shortening in bowl of electric mixer; blend on low speed until combined. Step 2. Add powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time; blend on low speed until well incorporated, about 1 minute. Add banana extract, if desired; blend on medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute more. Gently fold in whipped cream. Use immediately to frost cake. Step 3. Place 1 cake layer, top side down, on serving plate. Spread with frosting. Top with second layer, top side up. Frost sides and top of cake with remaining frosting.
From the communities of Hickory, Berry, Sand Springs, and Mount Vernon and Poplar Springs, email or call floraoverstreet64@gmail.com or call 601- 479-9044 with your news.
