The other day Emily and I stopped by a store I hadn’t visited in a long time. From the moment the automatic doors slid open, I noticed a very distinct aroma. Let’s see, how should I describe it? It’s probably a mix of new tires, livestock feed and various agricultural supplies.
I took a deep breath. “Ahhh … smells like my childhood in here.”
Emily wrinkled her nose. “It smells disgusting.”
Oh my dear teenager. She has no idea.
As someone who grew up on a farm, I’ve encountered a wide variety of odors – everything from pleasant to downright awful! But whether good or bad, they always trigger childhood memories for me.
I took a deep breath. “Ahhh … smells like my childhood in here.”
Emily wrinkled her nose. “It smells disgusting.”
Oh my dear teenager. She has no idea.
As someone who grew up on a farm, I’ve encountered a wide variety of odors – everything from pleasant to downright awful! But whether good or bad, they always trigger childhood memories for me.
Freshly plowed dirt reminds me of riding with Dad on a John Deere tractor. Dusty hay bales remind me of playing in the haymow with my brother. Lilacs remind me of walking barefoot to the mailbox on a warm summer day.
As my day continued, I thought about my own kids. I wondered what smells might evoke memories for them someday. Would the smell of fresh cut grass remind them of days we played at the park? Would the smell of old books remind them of our many trips to the library? Would the smell of chlorine take them back to afternoons at the pool? No matter what ends up triggering their memories, I hope they'll always remember how much they were loved.
As my day continued, I thought about my own kids. I wondered what smells might evoke memories for them someday. Would the smell of fresh cut grass remind them of days we played at the park? Would the smell of old books remind them of our many trips to the library? Would the smell of chlorine take them back to afternoons at the pool? No matter what ends up triggering their memories, I hope they'll always remember how much they were loved.
That night before going to bed I stopped by Madison’s room to say goodnight. I sat down next to her and leaned in for a hug.
“Love you,” I said, squeezing her tight. She wrapped both arms around my neck and inhaled.
“You smell good,” she said.
I couldn't help but smile.
So how about you? What scents transport you back to your childhood? Do share!
“Love you,” I said, squeezing her tight. She wrapped both arms around my neck and inhaled.
“You smell good,” she said.
I couldn't help but smile.
So how about you? What scents transport you back to your childhood? Do share!
*photo of tractor taken from freedigitalphotos.net (Tractor Ploughing Field by Dan)
