Joann Merritt's Essays

Aah! Happiness In The Pits
November, 2001

I have a plaque that reads “True happiness is like the butterfly, the more you pursue it the more it will elude you, but if you are patient and still, it will come softly and land on your shoulders.” Poppycock!! While that statement sounds lofty and idealistic there’s something to be said about being impatient and rising from your easy chair to take charge - so, I’ll say something

I started my pursuit by walking on Rocky Sock Ridge where dust swirled around my feet with every step that I took. Looking down in The Pits below me I discovered a stand of groundsel, drought resistant native plants that were all abloom. To reach them I had to rappel (well, sort of) down the barren side of The Pits via a 12 foot length of rope which was tied to a small elm tree. The groundsel‘s sunshine-yellow blooms were laden with nectar which had served as beacons attracting perhaps 200 butterflies plus 1 Midnat. My pursuit had ended in success! I lurched happily through piles of discarded tile, chunks of concrete and other debris while chasing beautiful orange, yellow and white butterflies of 20 species.

The method of being patient, sitting still and waiting for happiness in the form of a butterfly to come find me, did not appeal to this Midnat that day so I bestirred myself, actively pursued happiness and landed not-so-softly on ITS shoulders in a cloud of dust.