Dear Happiness,

A personal archival project…

I gathered footage of myself throughout my life to share my own written letter to happiness. The video compilation shows the struggles people go through in life but shows the happiness that can be found even when it is thought to be lost.

Music: The Wisp Sings by Winter Aid

My Letter to Happiness

Dear happiness,

It’s me. I just want to say thank you for being there when I was young. For giving me a memorable childhood. Thank you for letting me know what it’s like to feel safe and be loved. Thank you for being there for my family and friends. I must admit something though. Sometimes I miss you. Sometimes it feels as if you are too far out of reach. Sometimes you leave too soon. I wish you would stay more often. I try so hard to hold onto you. But sometimes you slip right through my fingers.

Where were you when I needed you? Where were you when they fought so much he put a fist through a wall? Where were you when I walked home alone barefoot with a bloody nose? Where were you when I sat alone in the bathroom stalls eating my lunch? Where were you that one night that I try so hard to forget? Where were you when my mom got sick? Where were you when I laid on the floor of my apartment all alone in the dark? Where were you?

Sometimes I feel like giving up looking for you. But I know if I looked hard enough you were always there. You never completely left. You’re there in the sound of laughter from friends. You’re in the warmth of my parents’ hugs. You’re in the wind that passes through the leaves outside my childhood window. You’re in the journey of chasing after something I love. I know that you never completely left me.

That’s why I thought I would write you this letter happiness. In hopes that you can stay just a little bit longer with me this time. And I know now that you don’t always have to be here. If you’re not here that’s okay too. Just come and visit me every once in awhile.

See you soon,

Emily