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In my childhood, when I didn’t think about whether it was happy. It just was.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 October 2018 source ↗
The question
What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.
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Others on this question
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Kevin Rowland
British singer
On stage – the Old Vic in 1981 and Glastonbury last year.
Chris Packham
English naturalist
Fourteen. Dew-soaked plimsolls, flying my kestrel before school.
Julie Walters
British actress
Seeing Maisie's face for the first time.
Escaping an abusive teen marriage and being blessed with the opportunity to create a new life for myself and my two young children in London at the height of the swinging 60s.
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A cellist, inspired by my mum and dad’s friendship with Jacqueline du Pré, and seeing a documentary about her.
Any writer who thinks I’ve ruined their work in performance.
A birthday present I hoped would mean a lot to the person. I had their family history researched and a book made.
Dawn French, because I am sitting next to her and she says if I don’t say her, she will hurt me.
I would like the poem Cherish by Raymond Carver. It was read by my dad at my wedding, and is my absolute favourite.
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