Isn't it interesting how memories can be linked to a specific smell? Anytime I smell raisin pie I'm taken right back to my grandma's kitchen. The smell of Coppertone reminds me of the summers of my youth. And star jasmine in bloom reminds me of buying our first house. Which we still live in, by the way, yet the star jasmine no longer grows along the front walk.
This is the smell of my mother.
Her signature fragrance was Estee Lauder's Youth Dew. She preferred the bath oil over the spray. She would dab it on her wrists and neck and behind her ears.
She would always purchase her Youth Dew at Gottschalk's department store. Many times she would splurge and get the dusting powder too.
I now have the last bottle of Youth Dew my mom owned. There is about half of a bottle left. I keep it in my dresser drawer. Every time I open the drawer I get a subtle whiff of my mother. It's the smell of warmth, security, reassurance, tenderness, confidence, strength, compassion and love.
It always makes me smile.
2 comments:
Oh Linda, that is so sweet...and what a nice way to remember your mom everyday. I'm glad you're smiling. :)
Hugs, my dear friend. You've got me sobbing, remembering your mom. I didn't even have to smell the perfume to remember coming over to your house in high school and your mom saying, "hi girls" and asking what we were up to, which usually had to do with some boy who didn't know we existed. I'm glad you have these tangible rememberances!
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