How many tokens are left in your jar?

Matt Gerrell

Fractional Chief Marketing Officer

Founder / President Gerrell Collective

Years ago, I heard a story that stayed with me.

A new father brought his baby boy home for the first time. A few days later, the grandfather walked into the young dad’s office carrying a glass container. Inside there were 936 small tokens.

Confused, the son asked, “What’s this for?”

The grandfather smiled and said, “There are 936 weeks between today and the day your child turns 18. Each token is a week you’ll get full of Saturdays that feel too short, school nights that feel too long, practices, games, conversations in the car, late-night worries, early-morning laughs, holidays, milestones, setbacks, and celebrations.”

Then he added, “Every week you spend with your son, take one token out. Watch the jar change. It’ll remind you how precious time is and how quickly it moves. Don’t waste a single week. Be grateful for the ones you still have.”

It’s a simple story, but it has stuck with me for years. Our lives are a collection of moments finite, fragile, and unbelievably valuable.

Times are difficult right now for many on LinkedIn. I read the stories and my heart aches for those trying to find jobs to support themselves and their families. When reading you can feel the anxiety and fear of the unknown. I hope when we are all feeling stress, we are reminded how important it is to pause, notice, and appreciate the time we have with the people we love.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving spent with those who matter most.