[The Pursuit of Happiness: Ida May Petsock and George Petsock]

An interview conducted at the home of elderly couple Ida May Petsock and George Petsock for the documentary The Pursuit of Happiness, directed by Julie Gustafson and John Reilly. George is a superintendent of prisons in Pittsburgh, PA, and his career has often interfered with his home life, including frequent moves around the state. 

00:00Copy video clip URL Working in human services, George says that he typically takes them home with him, worrying about their situation and their sorrows. 

01:25Copy video clip URL George describes vacations and other things that he’s missed out on because of his job.

02:30Copy video clip URL Ida May observes that commitment and communication are the keys that allow their relationship to stay healthy, even when George’s job has intruded into their lives. 

04:54Copy video clip URL Ida May says that she’s gained far more than she’s lost living with George, but she’s missed being the most important person in his life. 

06:30Copy video clip URL Ida May describes the difficulties of moving frequently and suddenly for George’s job.

11:00Copy video clip URL They talk about the need to be selfish from time to time, and to focus on themselves. 

13:05Copy video clip URL George muses about the phrase “pursuit of happiness” and how different people conceive of happiness. 

15:05Copy video clip URL Ida May discusses what happiness is not. It’s not in material things or in pleasing other people. She talks about their daughter’s automobile accident, which left her in a coma for several months, and how that taught her about happiness.

18:15Copy video clip URL George talks about happiness being internal, and that external forces (like money) don’t make someone happy. Family is the most important thing, he says. Ida May agrees.