The Illusion of Merritt (An Allegory)

Finding Yourself After Losing Yourself

Introduction

I am torn between explaining why I am choosing to write more allegorically going forward and just jumping in and writing whatever I write and seeing how it goes. So, I am going to compromise with myself and make this introduction and then get into this allegory.

The reason why I am somewhat resistant to explaining myself is probably because I hate beating around the bush. But life has taught me that some people really like a little bush beating before you tell them what you are going to tell them. As for me, fundamentally, I am a rip the Band-aid off kind of guy. So much so the when I was a kid with a toothache, I chose to take the pain and pull out my own tooth with a nail and a pair of pliers rather than wait for a dentist appointment. I like people to give things to me straight no chaser so I know what I am dealing with. And, no lie, my wife and I have had some serious discussions about me not wanting any pain meds that might make me lose consciousness while I am dying.…