Every time Emmy wears this cute little shirt with pockets in the front, she asks, “Have a piece of canny to put in my pocket?” One day, a couple of months ago, I gave her a little Tootsie Roll to put in her pocket. Even though that was the only time I gave her a piece of candy to put in her pocket, she always remembers and asks me for a piece when I dress her in the shirt with pockets. (That one time? The Tootsie Roll didn’t stay in its wrapper for very long, and soon ended up as a sticky, papery mess in her hands and mouth.)

Pockets have good things in them. Grandpas keep things like mints and gum for little ones to chew; Dads have spare change for the ice-cream truck. Mommies have tissues for little runny noses. Those small things tuck easily into a pocket and bring smiles when they appear. Or if not a smile, at least a “Thanks, Mom,” as the soiled tissue is returned to its giver.

Small things make me smile.

I remember my mom bringing me a small cup of milk to drink before I went to bed at night, because milk was good for my teeth.

I remember seeing my teeny tiny baby sister brought home from the hospital. I was eight, and I was afraid to hold her because I had a cold.

I remember seeing my husband smiling across the gym at me, a couple of weeks after we started dating. He looked at me like I was the most beautiful girl in the world.

What small memories do you have tucked away that make you smile?