Melody returned like she said she would. She came in his apartment and he invited her to take a seat in his living room. They chatted and then she handed him the legacy locket. On one side was the old wedding photo he had given her to use and on the other side was a strange looking square code.
Melody pulled out her smart phone and smiled and said, ”Are you ready to hear what your kids and grandkids will hear from you?” “Yes,” he scooted up closer. She scanned the code on the right side of the keychain locket and then all of a sudden he could hear his own voice coming from her phone. He heard the words of advise he said for Robbie, Angela, Jane and their children. His precious posterity. Well hi kids, it’s Grandpa. To start with, I never thought I’d live to be 94 years old. It’s a different world than what I remember. Remember I was born before TV and indoor plumbing. I have been very blessed not only with three great kids but a loving, talented, beautiful wife. I think of my dear Marsha. We all know she was your favorite. She was mine. I think what I want to share with you she’d agree. She loved each of you so much. She showed that everyday of her life. Remember that Christmas she passed out gifts and mixed up the tags and Robbie opened a nice pink robe? I can still hear her laughing. She would say don’t take life too seriously. You can laugh or cry and she chose more often than not to laugh. I’ve tried to be like that but I’m afraid I have taken life a little too seriously sometimes. Life is meant to be enjoyed not simply endured. I remember all the sporting events and dance recitals. They are some of my happiest moments because I watched each of you use the talents God blessed you with. Each of you has made me so proud with your choices. Please remember you don’t have to be perfect but I would encourage each of you to strive to do your best. Don’t let technology take up your life. Life is too precious to waste it. Get outside and get involved in life. Remember you are a member of a family that was created with love and hope. A family that believes in the almighty God. Work hard at things that matter, choose the right and keep your promises. Give to those that have less, be grateful, and never forget how much Grandpa and Grandma love you. The man wiped a little tear that snuck out. Melody did too. “It’s beautiful,” she said. “They are going to treasure these words.” Melody left him with some information about how to write his life story if he wanted to. He would look that over. It’s something he wanted to do but never got around to it. Melody showed him today’s new technology makes it much easier. Melody felt like a friend now. She said something before she left, “I have enjoyed getting to know you better and what you created here will allow you to share your love and wisdom with children you may never meet. You learned so much in your life and it would have been a waste not to share it. You never know who needs these words but I promise someone does.” He thought if all his kids and grandchildren and how they were having children now too. After Melody left the man sat thinking in his big chair. He looked at the time. He would normally be napping or watching Judge Judy. He didn’t click the TV on though, he didn’t feel like napping. He thought about what he said on the locket. Life is too precious to waste it. Get outside and get involved in life. Life is meant to be enjoyed not simply endured. He thought for a few minutes and thought about how his own advice should apply to him too. He couldn’t just tell his kids this, didn’t he owe it to them to be an example? He did! It was with that thought he pushed the button on his chair that helped him up. He looked in the mirror, straightened his tie, and slicked back a strand of his hair. He took a deep breath and headed to his door. Today they were having a trivia game. He was pretty good at trivia. He thought he’d take his own advice and Marsha’s advice too. She wouldn’t have wanted him to waste away in this room. Don’t take life so seriously. As he lay in bed that night for the first time in a long time he felt some feelings he hadn’t felt for a long time. Excitement? Is that what that feels like? Like you are actually wanting the next day to come? He thought of Gordon, a new friend he met when he dined at table 11. They would be expecting him for breakfast. They could continue their conversation about their favorite US president. They seemed to have so much in common. When he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep he felt another feeling he hadn’t felt for a while—contentment. What’s next for the man in room 106? Find out next time.
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