I was trying to find a photo to put with this post, but really, how can you take a photo of a scent? How on earth could I represent all things wonderful that one little sniff can give you?
Yesterday, twice, I was overcome by reflection just because I smelled something wonderful.
The first scent was of Polo by Ralph Lauren. When Polo was first introduce (to me at least) I was in high school. All the preppy guys I knew wore Polo. The scent filled the hallways and classrooms. And it was, to me, a wonderful scent.
While looking at envelopes yesterday, just a few steps away another gentleman was looking for envelopes too. I could smell the Polo he was wearing and didn’t dare look up. I wanted instead to think of all the friends I had and have not seen in years. How well dressed they were in their polo shirts and khaki’s. With their topsiders quietly walking the hallways. And how the smell of Polo would always linger a few moments after they had passed. I loved Polo so much a few of my girlfriends gave me a bottle to keep in my coat pocket. And that I did for a long time. I won’t discuss the dare I had to take a sip, one in which I fulfilled. But, of a time where everyone seemed happy and there was so much ahead of us. Just to be clear, my high school was not entirely preppy, but that was one side of my friends and one side of me. Another time, when I smell another scent that takes me back, perhaps I will remember the punk rock friends or the friends that hung out in the smoking area (hey wait a minute, I think of them all the time… as I married one of them…).
Finally as the gentleman was about to leave the aisle I dared look up. Just in case. Just in case it was an old friend from high school that I haven’t seen in a long time. Not this time. Although he was a well dressed man with a pleasant smile he was not a long lost friend. But, I was thankful for that moment to remember each and every one of them.
The second scent was such a simple one. Coffee beans. Every morning when I struggle to make my coffee, I don’t always get a moment to smell the coffee as it is brewing. But, J was standing beside me when I opened the can that I had just freshly ground yesterday. And he stopped me and said, “Mommy, that smells like the coffee shop!”. So I explained, that yes coffee is what makes the coffee shop smell so wonderful. And for just a few moments yesterday morning, while Apple was yelling for more food and J was singing the theme song from Indiana Jones (which brings back so many other memories). I was taken back to a simpler time, when I used to hang out at coffee shops and actually savour my coffee. Now I get to grab it while going through the drive through and sometimes, I get to savour it while driving around and letting the kids take a nap. But, I also wouldn’t trade those simpler times for all the beans in Starbucks.
What scents take you back?
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I remember the “Polo” days at school as well. I actually smelled something the other day that reminded me of a scratch and sniff book I had as a child. Not sure what the smell was and it wasn’t necessarily a good smell…
When I come out in the damp morning and smell an earthy smell it takes me back to the summer I spend in Brazil. The smell of coffee is a big one for me too. LOVE IT
So many scents! All of those perfumes and colognes that we all wore in high school from Eternity to Drakkar Noir to Calyx to Giorgio! Then as I got older, I couldn’t stand the smell of alcohol based perfume. Patchouli, sandalwood and jasmine remind me of college. And it’s funny how Toni mentioned Scratch and Sniff books- I bought some of the same ones I had as a child and it brought me right back to my youth. 🙂
I’ve learned over the years, as I’ve moved all over the country, that when I think of the smell of rain I am actually thinking of the very specific smell of rain in the urban neighborhood where I grew up.
The smell of alfalfa in the fields instantly transports me to Camp Luther, where I went as a camper and worked as a counselor.
There’s a certain smell that I *think* is composed mainly of eucalyptus trees which takes me to the little town in California where my relatives live.
I love how smells evoke strong memories like that.
I think for me, Eternity for men, brings back memories of being a teenager. Strawberry Shortcake dolls remind me of growing up.
The smell of the skating rink immediately takes me back to my teen years. I spent many an hour in the rink pretending I was a figure skater.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee always reminds me of my parents, because neither Mike nor I drink coffee in the house.
I also love the smell of a freshly cleaned house, because it tells me that I don’t have to do it again for a while 🙂
Heidi
Clean sheets after they come in off the clothes line. I loved that smell. My mom never had much time to wash sheets much and when she it is was a very clean comforting smell. WHICH is why I wash my sheets more than she did.
Coffee is a big one too. Makes me think of good times at CEGEP spent drinking it and chatting.
Lilacs spring will surely be here when they bloom.
Great blog Anna
perfume: opium.
ewww it reminds me of the eighties and i hate it lol.
w-a-a-a-ay too strong.
and i wonder if part of my coffee-addiction stems from mum and dad grinding beans and percolating a cup (on the stove in a 70’s italian torture-looking-thing) every night after dinner.
and i *LOVE* the smell of the inside of a volkswagen beetle.
we had a little light blue bug from the time i was two.
ah, such memories
mwah Z+X
mwah Z+X
uh, what i mean is:
mwah X
lol X