I don’t precisely know why, but things like the following – shuffled for good measure – choke me up a little.

• Orange cordial in a Coke bottle. (Ice rink.)
• Combed blonde hair, not quite dry. (Magistrates Court.)
• Blue corduroy jacket from Lifeline. (Melbourne.)
• Littermates crunching biscuits. (Chapel Hill.)
• Pre-teen hearing aids. (School.)
• Sandwiches in brown paper bags. (Cinema.)
• Neatly ironed handkerchiefs. (Trouser pockets or closets.)
• Chocolates and the crinkle of flowers in cellophane. (Break up.)
• Dog closing his eyes when scratched. (Vet.)
• Tupperware and drink bottles with Nikko-pen owners. (Bus.)
• Pastel homesewn pyjamas. (Palliative care ward.)
• Backpackers with accents and threadbare towels. (Whale watching.)
• Daughter crying; nipped by the cat. (Old place.)
• First time in the ocean / pure joy catching a wave. (Cylinder Beach.)

Some of these are my own. Some I’ve just been a witness to.