Those crystal moments...

I think everyone has those special moments where for just that second the world contracts into a crystal clear instant in time. I'm not talking about the "Where were you when..." moments, but a moment in time that couldn't get more perfect, more happy or more special.

Me? I try to remember my top 3. I was reminded of one of them when The Colonel was talking about a holiday including a trip to Paris that he and the Mrs just returned from. While in Paris, he told me about sitting at a cafe and who they met and how it turned into an incredibly fun day with new un-looked for friends.

Likewise there was a summer when I lived in Paris. A friend I hadn't seen in forever came over from London and with another friend from America and with hours before returning to our respective countries we decided to spend all day just going from cafe to cafe. Starting at breakfast, we went from one to another as the whim took us, sitting for hours talking about anything and everything, laughing and companionable. Our drinking went from cafe cremes, to menthe a l'eau, to beers then to wine as the day progressed into night. The moment came as evening was falling and we were in a little cafe on a square off Rue du Pot de Fer. The setting summer sun was striking the buildings across the square as kids were playing in the fountain. As we sat and I looked around the square to the lights coming on in the filling cafes and then at my chatting friends I suddenly realized here was a moment that had waited an eternity to come and would never come again. I felt warm and content, special and privileged to be there that second at that place. And so I remember.

So when are your moments in time?

- Farmer Ted