B���n m��� con t��i ���� c�� m���t ����m r���m Trung Thu c���c k��� h���nh ph��c v�� th�� v��� khi ��i b��� gi���a nh���ng con ph��� c��� c���a H�� N���i. Tr��ng s��ng tr��n cao, ����n l���ng mu��n m��u v�� mu��n h��nh d��ng tr��n h��ng ngh��n c���a h��ng b��n ����� ch��i thi���u nhi hai b��n �������ng ph���. L�� tr��� nh�� t��i ����i m��� mua ����n ��ng sao ����� m��u, sau ���� c��c c���u nh��c v���a l��n ch��n ��i b��� theo m��� v���a c���m ����n ��ng sao gi�� cao tr��n �����u.

Th���t kh�� x��� khi l�� tr��� con nh�� t��i �����ng gi���a h��ng ng��n m��n ����� ch��i, v�� ch��ng ����i mua t���t c��� nh���ng g�� m���t ch��ng nh��n th���y! N��o nhi���t nh���t l�� nh���ng gian h��ng b��n m���t n��� h��a trang, v����ng mi���n hay tai th���. Ch��� v�� r���t ����ng b���n tr��� t���i ���� v���a ch���n ����� ch��i v���a tranh th��� ch���p h��nh.

G���n ba m����i n��m tr�����c t��i c��ng ����n Trung Thu tr��n ph��� H��ng M�� nh�� th��� n��y, khi ���y H�� N���i ngh��o, ng�����i th��a, ����� ch��i Trung Thu �����u t��� l��m b���ng tre v�� gi���y m��u, t��i ch��� ��i xem ph���, ch���ng �������c b��� m��� cho ti���n mua g��. B��y gi��� ng�����i H�� N���i gi��u c�� h��n, b��� m��� mua ����� ch��i cho con ch���ng c���n �����n ��o nhi���u. Ni���m vui ����m Trung Thu ���� chuy���n t��� �����n��� sang ���ch��i���, chuy���n t��� T���t thi���u nhi th��nh T���t ��o��n vi��n c���a nh���ng gia ����nh nh���, v�� d���p h�� h���n nh���ng b���n tr��� ��ang b�����c v��o y��u.

T��i ngh�� h���nh ph��c l���n nh���t l�� gia ����nh t��i lu��n b��n nhau vui s�����ng ����n nh���ng m��a Trung Thu, khi cu���c s���ng thay �����i qu�� nhanh ngo��i kia.

Khi ng�����i s���ng v���i h��n, khi nh���ng t��a nh�� c��ng x��y c��ng cao, �������ng m���i ng��y th��m ����ng, nh���ng gi��y ph��t sum h���p gia ����nh m���i n��m l���i th��a h��n. Nh�� th��� ch��ng ta lu��n v���i v�� ��i t���i t����ng lai. Nh��ng n���u h���nh ph��c ��i ch���m nh�� m���t �����a tr��� c���m ����n l���ng, b���n c�� s���n s��ng ch���m l���i ch��� h���nh ph��c c���a m��nh theo k���p kh��ng?

My kids and I had a wonderful evening walking around the ancient Hanoi streets for the mid-autumn festival. The full moon was shining bright above us, colorful lanterns were everywhere and shops were selling toys at both sides of the streets. My little angels tottered after me with their miniature steps while happily holding the lanterns ��� which they demanded I buy for them ��� high above their heads, as if they were showing them off to the moon and the stars.

They stood among thousands of toys, with their wide eyes telling me they wanted to bring everything home. The busiest booths were those that sold costume masks, crowns or bunny masks. They attracted countless young people, browsing toys and taking photos with their loved ones.

Thirty years ago, I enjoyed my mid autumn night on Hang Ma Street much like this. Hanoi was still in its early days with less people, but still with many handmade toys crafted from color paper and bamboo. Only, I was walking down the street without any money, unable to buy anything. Today Hanoi people are fortunate to live in a better economy. Parents bought toys for their kids without blinking. What used to be the simple joy of gathering to eat during the mid-autumn festival now became the excitement of venturing out exploring the streets. The festival, which once was mainly for children, now entertained families and young couples alike.

To me, the happiest moment was gathering with my family under the moonlit sky watching life fly by.

People are living faster. Buildings are getting higher. Streets are becoming more crowded. At the same time, it seems that family gatherings are becoming less frequent. Are we rushing our lives for a better future? What if happiness is walking slowly behind us, disguised as steps of a child holding a lantern? Would you be willing to slow down a bit and wait for yours?