In this chapter, two friends who had not seen each other in years joined a wildlife rescue team to determine security of bald eagle fledglings in a vast natural recreation area. After the work was complete they went camping as a reward. What happened that evening in the rugged wilderness taught as much about nature, as it did about strength, precision and determination, in a man named Peter Churchfield. Who made a fortune while all those around him were losing theirs. Continuing the conversation from last time…
Left awkwardly alone with Bernie, I said, “Once I started learning how long and how much it takes to save enough money to buy things, I realized I really didn’t need them!”
“I wish I could say that. There was a time when if I could buy it, I did buy it. And I had it all. I had a college education. I had a wife. I helped raise my children. I had a good life, nice house. I just kept adding … until forces other than the ones I had control over started in on the subtraction.”
I wondered what had happened, but I couldn’t figure out a diplomatic way to ask. Peter was still occupying himself with the dishes; my head was feeling weary, and I wanted to climb back into the hammock, but I said, “Did you say that you worked in engineering?”
“Yes, but I worked at several companies over the years. My divorce was final three months before I got laid off, and the market swept away much of what was left in my half of the pension. As good as I was at design, I was not good at designing my own house of cards.”
I felt even more uncomfortable now, and all I could say was, “I’m sorry.” Then I went to take over the chore of cleaning up after dinner. Peter handed me a towel and a new garbage bag.
“I get it,” Peter said with eyes of a Cheshire Cat in the dark. “I was listening. Put the trash in the trunk so the critters can’t get at it. Here are the keys.” He walked the short distance to the fire pit and said to Bernie, “I moved to New Jersey in 1968, to start a new life working in sales. The factory job I left in Ohio had no promise, and I made a vow to myself that I would do whatever it took to create success. I did okay.”
Continued here next time.
Read the complete story in the book, The Quiet Rich: Ordinary People Reawakening an American Dream.
Kevin J. Palmer, Author
