A young man learns what’s most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Yusuf had seen the old man. University, girls,career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Yusuf moved clear across the country inursuit of his career and dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Yusuf had little time to
think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on is future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, “Mr. Yacoob died tonight. The funeral is tomorrow.” Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

“Yusuf, 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,” Yusuf 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,” Yusuf said.

“You know, Yusuf, after your father died, Mr. Yacoob 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…He spent time teaching me how to read the Qur’aan and even took me for salaah to the local Masjid..
Mom, I’ll be there for the funeral,” Yusuf said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Yusuf caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Yacoob’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,after the funeral, Yusuf and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Yusuf 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. Everything, every piece of furniture….
Yusuf stopped suddenly.

“What’s wrong, Yusuf?” 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,'” Yusuf said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Yusuf remembered it, except for the box.
He figured someone from the Mr Yacoobs family had taken it.

“Now I’ll never know what was so valuable to him,” Yusuf said. “I
better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.”

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Yacoob died Returning home from
work one day Yusuf 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 Yusuf retrieved the package. It was a small box.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. Yacoob Mohammed” it read. Yusuf
took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box
and an envelope.Yusuf’s hands shook as he read the note inside.

“Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Yusuf the son of my neighbor.
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, Yusuf 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:

“Yusuf, Thanks for your time! -Yacoob Mohammed.”

“The thing he valued most was…my time”

Yusuf held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and
cleared his appointments for the next two days. “Why?” Abdulla, his assistant asked.

“I need some time to spend with my son,” he said.

“Oh, by the way, Abdulla, thanks for your time!”

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the
moments that take our breath away,”

” A single rose can be my garden….but a single friend- MY WORLD!”

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for
you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t
like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. You could be a means of someone’s happiness.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you
probably won’t get it, but if you trust Allah to do what’s best, and wait on His
time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still
come from it if you sincerely repent.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look:
you most likely turned your back on Allah.

11. Someone that you don’t even realize loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the
rude remarks.

13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much
better when they know and you’ll both be happy .

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that
they are great.

To everyone I sent this to ” Thanks for your time ” ……