Jack was done with his day at school and rode his bicycle over to his after school job at the local store. In some ways this was a tradition in his family because this store, this little old fashioned general store, had been in his family for over 80 years, when it was first opened by his great grandparents. This store was a staple of this town and had been the silent observer to so many generations of families who lived there. Some would visit to buy a loaf of bread and some groceries, or read the latest Superman comic book, maybe share an egg cream or ice cream soda with their date, or to simply just come by to find out what the latest goings on were in town. This little store was as much a part of this town as the trees and grass were. That is why the sad news of it's closing was so heartbreaking to so many. Although this town was somehow shielded from the harsh cruelity of the rest of the world in so many ways, sadly the economic problems that have effected everyone eventually found it's way there, too. The store was set to close it's doors forever in just two days.
A sadness hung over the store and all of it's usual occupants as it's doomsday drew closer and closer. Even Jack, who would much rather have been hanging out with his friends after school instead of helping out at the family store, had a heavy heart as he started to clean up the back room as his father had instructed him to. He started to sweep up and move some boxes and crates. It was while he was doing this that Jack made a surprising discovery. As he turned with boxes in hand, he accidentally bumped into a wall. When he did, he noticed that a wooden panel from the wall popped open. Upon closer inspection Jack discovered that it was a secret panel. He carefully opened the panel all the way to further investigate what might be hiding inside. At first he found nothing but before closing the panel back up, he decided to explore it one more time. This time, to his surprise his hand came upon a small leather pouch. As he carefully removed it he wondered to himself just what could it be and just how long had it been hidden away from the world. When he opened the pouch, he discovered inside was a beautiful gold pocket watch.
As he flipped it over to examine it further, he discovered an inscription on the back that said, "To John, My love for you will surpass time, Forever yours, Emma." With great excitement, he ran to show his father the treasure he had uncovered. As his father read the inscription on the watch, his eyes began to fill up. You see Emma and John were his grandparents. He hadn't seen this watch since he was a very, very little boy. In his mind he was suddenly brought back to a simplier time remembering what it was like to sit in his grandfather's lap as he would show him the beautiful, shiny watch that he was so proud of because his beautiful wife, his beautiful Emma, had given it to him for their 1st wedding anniversary many years before. He loved her so dearly, so tenderly, and that watch was just a small daily reminder to him of a woman who was not just his wife but was indeed a part of him, a part of his heart and a part of his soul.
The watch itself meant nothing compared to the love that Emma and John had for their family and especially for each other. The watch was a symbol of their love and devotion but in many ways, so was the store. John and Emma had both had worked so hard together and saved what they could to make their dream of owning their own store, an ongoing legacy for their family, a reality and they were so proud once it finally came to be. That's what made it's inevitable closing just THAT more painful and sad. But what could be done?
Jack's father now held in his hand some hope, a possible solution to his overwhelming problem. But now he was troubled as to what he should do. Should he sell this newly discovered treasure in order to save the store? Should he sell one family heirloom to save another? After much thought a decision was made. The watch would simply gather dust in a drawer somewhere while the store would be a ongoing tribute to his grandparents, his family and to the town that they all loved so much. As his eyes filled up once more, Jack's father laughed to himself and then smiled and shook his head. "Jack, I can't believe that even now, all these years later, that Grandma and Grandpa are STILL taking care of us and this store." So Jack's father sold the watch and used the money to meet the mortgage. Yes everyone, the store was saved!!
And so the store remained open and will continue to for many years and many generations to come, becoming a living legacy to the hard work, love and commitment of one special couple whose love for each other, their family, their town and their store was so strong that it had, indeed, managed somehow...... to surpass even time. And of course, they all lived.......
