Happiness

Elderly Woman in Union Square...a sketch

Happiness is somewhat elusive. We still try to chase it actively by aggressive pursuits such as buying, controlling and overcrowding our schedules. For me, happiness comes in little unexpected twinkles, often when I least expect it. A few years back, I was sitting in Union Square on a bench enjoying the day with my sketchbook at the ready. A caregiver subsequently sat next to me with her elderly charge in a wheelchair. As the caregiver did not speak English, we communicated by body language, and soon I was looking into the eyes of this beautiful old woman who nodded off now and then, with her head dropping to her chest. She and I took a break. As she shifted back into an alert stage, we worked again. I don't know if she knew what I was doing. But looking into the dignified eyes of this woman definitely qualified as a "happy moment" for me. Several moments in fact. This drawing session was the most memorable thing that I did that day, and still makes me happy after many years.