I came across this passage in Rob Goolrick’s A Reliable Wife. pg. 221. “It seems to me that everything in the light and air ought to be happy. Whoever is not in his coffin and the dark grave, let him know he has enough.” Googled it to find it’s from old friend Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Kudos to Goolrick for working it into to his story. It’s perfect for this character’s musings. Not that he presents it as anything other than a quote, but he doesn’t identify the poet.

This is not a review of the book, though it is very good and very interesting. Memorable plot and characters. What I’m interested in today is the quote: “everything in the light and air ought to be happy . . . he has enough.” One of those How True in the margin moments. Too bad we can’t remember this idea more often. Also reminds me of Abe Lincoln’s comment that folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. And of course, while on the subject of happiness, the old saw that Happiness is not a goal but a byproduct of striving for your goal.