These little balls make me so happy. I bought them in New York City.

New York City is one of my favorite places in the world. I cannot believe it has been two and a half years since I have been there. I went with some girlfriends. But these earrings are from a family trip.

We took our kids to New York, three years ago. How can it be that long ago? My heart aches. Our family did the typical touristy things. We saw Mary Poppins and The Lion King on stage. We went to Ellis Island and The Statue of Liberty. And we went to Chinatown.

While in Chinatown, my family and I stopped in a little jewelry store. They had these small yellow earrings for sale. I asked what they were made of and the lady responded, “Amber.”

For $10.

Remember, I got voted “Most Gullible” in high school. Things have not really changed.

We traveled home and I loved my earrings for a year. Until one day, my “Amber” earrings got too close to the curling iron. They quickly melted in one spot.

Darn Amber! Wink.

I still love them…

They remind me of my daughter still wearing clothes from the children’s department. Her bright pink and orange polka dot “fancy” dresses she wore to the shows. My son grasping my hand in the theater. His cherub like face looking up at me in his little tuxedo.

Wandering the streets of Chinatown. Hanging ducks in the windows. The samurai wooden sword my son used his souvenir money for. Stifling heat. Popsicles in Central Park. Wonders in museums.

I put these earrings on and it all comes back to me.

It’s the little things: Memories. Amber or plastic. It does not matter. They are both bright balls of light leading the way back in time. Sometimes I wish I could stay there in their perfect moment of infinite circular happiness.