heartspur – n.  an unexpected surge of emotion in response to a seemingly innocuous trigger – the distinctive squeal of a rusty fence, a key change in an old pop song, the hint of a certain perfume – which feels all the more intense because you can’t quite pin it down

I certainly feel heartspur at times. I can be emotional, and I find that there are lots of things that trigger memories. Often I know why or when the memory occurred, but not always. Especially as I get older.

Recently I heard Waterfalls on a playlist. I remember listening to this with my wife in the car, and it’s a great song. But I know that I heard this before I met her, and evoked a strong emotion of sadness. I can’t quite remember why, and still don’t.

If only I’d had a smartphone in 1994 and had taken a lot of pictures. Maybe I’d know why this one trigger something.

From the Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows