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Happiness
Is…
By: Laurel Ross
Happiness is an elusive thing. We have it one moment,
then it can slip through your fingers without warning.
You never know from one day to the other whether happiness
will be a part of the day. Today, I came into the office
smiling, ready to write about happiness, only to receive
a call that my great uncle had died. I’m trying
to focus on the few minutes of smiling that blessed
my morning, and to be appreciative of the 40 years I
had with my Great Uncle.
Rachel just turned 41, and I spent a long time shopping
for the perfect gift, then headed upstate to celebrate.
Naturally, the gift giving was a major component of
the weekend. She unwrapped the final present, a silver
chain with a reddish pink charm, engraved with a Chinese
character. What does it mean she asked? On the back
was engraved the English translation, one word. “Happiness.”
That’s right, I gave my best friend the gift of
happiness for her birthday. Now, she will always have
happiness at her fingertips.
We got to discussing the whole happiness thing, and
discovered that for the first time in a long time, we
were both happy. I think it’s a development that
comes with age. Being able to recognize happiness even
when all the planets aren’t fully aligned.
In the past, Rach would often have trouble with the
single days, she needed the validation of an intimate
other to feel complete. I sometimes have moments of
overwhelming sadness, triggered by the stress of daily
life. But lately, for both of us, those moments have
been fewer and further apart. And when they do strike,
I’m getting better at focusing on the good, and
letting go of the urge to indulge in self pity.
Rach and I have both reached a point where we realize
that our lives are pretty damn good. Not perfect. Not
even close to perfect. But good. And relatively happy.
Its good to be here.
Editors
Note: Laurel Ross welcomes your (gentle) comments. Her
email is LaurelRoss39@aol.com
july
2003
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