Does Happiness Come From Within You?

“She had felt that love was a beautiful flower but not for her to touch, though its fragrance made the garden a place of delight.”(59)

One of Helen Keller’s mentor’s was Alexander Graham Bell; the inventor of the telephone. Dr. Bell had also dealt with deaf conflictions within his family and that is where his curiosity for the deaf began. He had met Helen when she was just a little girl and they continued to remain in contact as Helen grew older. Several times Helen had accompanied him to his conventions which embraced the deaf in order to further their learning in speech. Throughout these conventions the two would engage in conversations and at one point in time Dr. Bell told her that should the occasion ever arise, she should not hesitate to marry. He went on to tell her that her case was not hereditary and that there was hope. Yet despite all of his willingness Helen felt as if marrying her would be like “marrying a statue.” (59) Keller didn’t want to someone be burdened with the obligation of taking care of her. Helen had only been in love once and unfortunately that never ended as planned.

The question that I must ask myself now is, is it possible to be elderly, alone and happy? Though I’m not in the position to answer this question my instinct tells me no. I feel as if one could never be happy because they would have no one to share their happiness with. Anyone care to add to this question?