Closing my eyes (this journey of the senses has shown me how often I do so to appreciate the joys of life), I take in the scent of cloves simmering in the kettle on the wood stove, the scented candle burning on the table across the room. I think about the earthy, sweet smell of fresh-cut hay and how that aroma evoked memories of home when we were across the ocean. The sense of smell is attached to so many memories.
The sense of smell is as important as that of taste in the enjoyment of many of our gastronomic delights. Aroma is as important as the flavor and the spice. Let’s not discount the texture or how it is presented. Well, it seems that there is more to food than just how it tastes.
We associate so many things in our life with scents, smells, and odors. There are so many different words to describe a scent: sweet, earthy, malodorous, aroma, and funk, just to name a few. This tells me that the sense of smell is important and enriches our life. I know that many scents catch me and remind me of something from long ago. When I smell Ojl of Olay, I think of my mother.
Close your eyes and think about what memories you associate with a particular scent. Better yet, the next time you catch a whiff and are transported to another time, quickly jot it down (we all have some notepad capability on our smartphones these days). Preserve the memory and maybe share it with others who would appreciate it. Create new memories today with the zest of fresh adventures and scents. (Psalm 141:1-2)
April 4, 2025
