am loved is equally important in this life equation?"
Jen leaned forward intently, wondering if Palmer was somehow speaking directly to her.
"I like to think that perhaps I can help you understand what it means to love and be loved. That it has to be a two-way street. If you love with all that you are, but receive less in return…you are being short-changed. Do something about it. If you love, but it's tempered with the flotsam of life, you are short-changing yourself . Do something about it."
He waved his hands, emphasizing their elegance along with his words. He was a consummate showman, and yet he was too close to the point for Jen's comfort.
"Life is short, my friends. Many of us are dealing with the annoying irritations we all will face as our years continue. We do so as best we can and consequently provide huge amounts of profitable income to more than a few pharmaceutical companies. Not to mention hair-replacement clinics." He grinned at the laughter. "We take meds for this, health supplements for that, and high-grade booze for everything in between."
Jen smiled. It was blunt and succinct, and probably not too far from the truth.
"But the best medicine is knowing how to love. And being loved in return. My wife loved me and I loved…more than I can ever say. I'm alone now, yes, but that love sustains me every day. I wake up knowing I'll never see that beloved face again, but warmed by the memories we made together." He glanced around. "If you're fortunate enough to still share breaths with the one you love, don't waste a moment of it. If you're like me, then relish the memories, stand tall on them, build on them and share the magic of that love with everyone you meet."
His gaze landed on Jen. "Even the youngest among us needs to be reminded that life, when all is said and done, is more than a career, a paycheck or a promotion. It's about opening a door to your heart and letting someone inside, taking a chance, and knowing it's the biggest gamble of all." He nodded briefly at her. "You may end up bloody and ripped apart, but then again, you may end up in a place of miracles and joy. Whatever the outcome, at least you'll have tried."
Shit, this guy was a mind reader as well as a golden-age standup comedian.
Despite her astonishment at his words, she smiled and joined in the applause as he took a dramatic bow. He must have been that company's best salesman. After listening to him, she firmly believed there were Eskimos somewhere wearing flip flops he'd sold to them.
The crowd mingled, laughed, chatted and headed for the bar. Jen hung back a little, only to feel Palmer's hand at her elbow. "Join us?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Thanks, but not tonight. It's been a long day, my first here at the hotel. I need a good night's sleep to get my vacation on track."
"I understand, my dear." He grinned. "We, on the other hand, need at least two or three more drinks."
"I enjoyed your talk, Palmer. Very much." It was nothing but the truth.
"That's nice of you to say."
"No really. I did. You made some valid points and gave me a lot to think about."
He tipped his head to one side. "I have a feeling you're worrying about something. So I'll let you go and rest. But think about this, lovely girl. Sometimes the heart knows what it wants better than the head." He tapped her lightly on her nose. "One last thing I'll share with you that I ask you keep to yourself."
She tilted her head to one side, curiosity aroused. "Of course."
"My wife? His name was Andrew. The nicest person I've ever met. The most wonderful man who blessed me with his presence for all those years." His smile was beautiful at that moment, glowing and filled with the love he obviously would always feel toward his mate. "Good night."
She blinked. "Good night…" And watched him head purposefully toward the bar and his friends.
Wow .
Love, it seemed, continually defied description. It could not be predicted, dictated or confined into rules of any kind.
Jen leaned forward intently, wondering if Palmer was somehow speaking directly to her.
"I like to think that perhaps I can help you understand what it means to love and be loved. That it has to be a two-way street. If you love with all that you are, but receive less in return…you are being short-changed. Do something about it. If you love, but it's tempered with the flotsam of life, you are short-changing yourself . Do something about it."
He waved his hands, emphasizing their elegance along with his words. He was a consummate showman, and yet he was too close to the point for Jen's comfort.
"Life is short, my friends. Many of us are dealing with the annoying irritations we all will face as our years continue. We do so as best we can and consequently provide huge amounts of profitable income to more than a few pharmaceutical companies. Not to mention hair-replacement clinics." He grinned at the laughter. "We take meds for this, health supplements for that, and high-grade booze for everything in between."
Jen smiled. It was blunt and succinct, and probably not too far from the truth.
"But the best medicine is knowing how to love. And being loved in return. My wife loved me and I loved…more than I can ever say. I'm alone now, yes, but that love sustains me every day. I wake up knowing I'll never see that beloved face again, but warmed by the memories we made together." He glanced around. "If you're fortunate enough to still share breaths with the one you love, don't waste a moment of it. If you're like me, then relish the memories, stand tall on them, build on them and share the magic of that love with everyone you meet."
His gaze landed on Jen. "Even the youngest among us needs to be reminded that life, when all is said and done, is more than a career, a paycheck or a promotion. It's about opening a door to your heart and letting someone inside, taking a chance, and knowing it's the biggest gamble of all." He nodded briefly at her. "You may end up bloody and ripped apart, but then again, you may end up in a place of miracles and joy. Whatever the outcome, at least you'll have tried."
Shit, this guy was a mind reader as well as a golden-age standup comedian.
Despite her astonishment at his words, she smiled and joined in the applause as he took a dramatic bow. He must have been that company's best salesman. After listening to him, she firmly believed there were Eskimos somewhere wearing flip flops he'd sold to them.
The crowd mingled, laughed, chatted and headed for the bar. Jen hung back a little, only to feel Palmer's hand at her elbow. "Join us?"
She smiled and shook her head. "Thanks, but not tonight. It's been a long day, my first here at the hotel. I need a good night's sleep to get my vacation on track."
"I understand, my dear." He grinned. "We, on the other hand, need at least two or three more drinks."
"I enjoyed your talk, Palmer. Very much." It was nothing but the truth.
"That's nice of you to say."
"No really. I did. You made some valid points and gave me a lot to think about."
He tipped his head to one side. "I have a feeling you're worrying about something. So I'll let you go and rest. But think about this, lovely girl. Sometimes the heart knows what it wants better than the head." He tapped her lightly on her nose. "One last thing I'll share with you that I ask you keep to yourself."
She tilted her head to one side, curiosity aroused. "Of course."
"My wife? His name was Andrew. The nicest person I've ever met. The most wonderful man who blessed me with his presence for all those years." His smile was beautiful at that moment, glowing and filled with the love he obviously would always feel toward his mate. "Good night."
She blinked. "Good night…" And watched him head purposefully toward the bar and his friends.
Wow .
Love, it seemed, continually defied description. It could not be predicted, dictated or confined into rules of any kind.
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