The Go-Giver Marriage by John David Mann

Author:John David Mann
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781637740828
Publisher: BenBella Books
Published: 2021-11-26T00:00:00+00:00

The Fifth Secret

GROW

Every day, identify what you need to be happy, healthy, and fulfilled—and then give yourself that. Dare to dream a bigger dream for yourself.

12. Jeremiah

Jeremiah reached into a vest pocket and withdrew a thin silver pocket watch.

“Well, young man. You should be moving on to your next appointment.”

Tom blinked. He was so engrossed in Mr. Janell’s fable and his own reflections that he had nearly forgotten why he was there. It was time for his final interview with the CEO! Yet rather than getting to his feet, Tom stayed seated, looking at his sketch of that little cathedral and its dazzling stained-glass window.

Finally, he looked up.

“Sir?” he said. “Jeremiah? Can I ask you a question? I mean, a personal question.”

Jeremiah cocked his head and peered at Tom, bemused. “Please.”

“Why are you retiring?”

“Ah,” said Jeremiah. “That is personal.” He looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then back at Tom. “What do the rumors say?”

Tom felt himself blush. Jeremiah was right, of course; there had been rumors. That the old man couldn’t keep up with the job. That he was getting a little . . . quirky was the euphemism Tom had heard.

“I don’t listen to rumors,” Tom replied.

Jeremiah nodded with approval. “Diplomatically put.” He stood, turned ninety degrees, and began pacing along the wall of floor-to-ceiling glass.

“I was married, you know. For many, many magnificent years. Of which, I will add, every moment was a jewel that I keep even now, in my heart of hearts.”

Tom practically held his breath. Mr. Janell was known to be an intensely private person, but even so, it startled him that he’d never heard even the slightest hint of there ever being a Mrs. Janell.

“There were, alas, health complications,” Jeremiah continued.

“I’m so sorry,” Tom mumbled.

“Not at all,” said Jeremiah. “Actually, thank you for asking your question. It’s good to talk about her.” He paused his pacing. “You are a lucky man, Tom.” He sighed, then resumed his slow pacing.

“All my life, mountain climbing was my passion. I traveled far and wide to find new cliffs to scale. When Lily’s condition worsened, I put a halt to my expeditions and stayed home so that I could look after her.

“The illness progressed, slowly but persistently.

“And then, eventually, rather more quickly.

“Shall I tell you her last words to me? ‘Remy,’ she said, ‘love of my life? Promise me something.’ ‘Anything,’ I replied. And she said, ‘Promise me you’ll keep climbing. Promise me. And when you arrive at the summit, I’ll be there.’”

His smile was distant, wistful. “She wanted my happiness, even more than I did. No.” He frowned. “That’s not quite right. Let’s say it this way: My happiness was her happiness.” Again, that wistful smile. “And hers,” he added softly, “was mine.”

Jeremiah came to a stop directly in front of the photo of that mountaintop scene and gazed at it as he continued speaking.

“At any rate, I kept my promise. There are seven great peaks in the world that I had always wanted to summit.

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