Stolen moments of joy

bothered with what the world might think.

I remember some of stolen moments of joy. Some years ago, my
office was nearby and I used to walk to office. Once it was noon time and I had
gone home for lunch. I take a shortcut that takes me through a playground. Noontime,
it was empty. There were the most sought after swings empty and beckoning me
with its seductive movement. I obeyed its call. I sat on the swing and was a
child once more. It was maybe for 20 minutes or so. But even today it brings
back the pure undiluted joy within me as I felt the wind kiss my face …

I felt again that joy one weekend when I played pakda pakdi with my daughter. I was the
spinach eating popeye chasing the pirate across the sea. I ran behind my
daughter with sweat streaming down my back. Parents in the garden watched me,
some with curiosity and some-I like to think- with envy.

Isn’t it better to steal those moments out of time than
remain envious and sigh if only…?