Comments on: It’s Not a Cookie

By: Teena in Toronto

Teena in Toronto — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:17:46 +0000

It’s funny how things can take you back …

By: Wendy

Wendy — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 19:33:13 +0000

I hear you! My grandmother (who I miss very much) is White Shoulders perfume. My mom gave me an almost empty bottle of hers when they emptied her house, and whenever I am missing her, a whiff of her perfume bottle *transforms* me into a little girl and being with her. It is such a strong feeling.

I was so pleased you left a comment on my little blog (re: your book). Thanks so much!

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:24:49 +0000

My Mom is toasted raisin bread. My best friend is Chloe perfume or Downy fabric softener. I just put a similar post on my blog a few days ago when I was hit by one of those unexpected scent memory. I love when those moments sneak up on you.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:14:42 +0000

I get that way when I smell country white bread baking, or smell fresh hay and cows. (I know, totally sounds weird.) I used to spend a little time each summer on my grandparents’ dairy farm – and I think I can safely say those were the happiest times of my childhood. Home was kinda drama-laden for me, with divorced parents and a stressed single mom…being at the farm was a couple of weeks of running around in the sunshine, playing with barn cats and climbing trees. Going in the house every night, smelling like the sun, and having the hot, fresh bread my grandma had made. Getting up as the sun just started coming up to go milk cows with grandpa. Sure – it’s not for everybody, but smelling those smells is like instant happiness for me.

I’m sure the fig bars were the same for you!

By: Atomic Bombshell

Atomic Bombshell — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:34:42 +0000

Thank you for sharing that experience with us. Very touching.

By: geeky

geeky — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 06:21:45 +0000

Aww, what a sweet story! It’s amazing to me how strongly the sense of smell is connected to memories. Like you said, one whiff and you’re instantly transported! It happened to me recently. I walked into the lodge at the national park and this smell hit me that instantly transported me back to girl scout camp when I was a kid. I had no idea I even associated a smell with girl scout camp, but sure enough the lodge had the exact same smell.

By: Manic Witch

Manic Witch — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 17:13:01 +0000

Smell is the one sense that is directly connected to memories. I know someone that keeps a little container of play-doh in her desk drawer for times when she gets stressed out. One nose-hit and it takes her back to a far simpler time where stress meant going to bed while it was still light outside.

I’m glad you found a special connection to your mom like that. Don’t feel guilty about the fig bars. Just pace yourself on them. Not only for the fanny-factor, but they will lose their magick of connecting you with her. You won’t be able to associate the smell with her any more-you’ll be trying too hard at that point.

By: lomara

lomara — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 15:00:43 +0000

Seems we all have a smell or taste trigger that sends us back to childhood. For me, the trigger is the smell of auto or motorcycle racing. It’s usually the race fuel that does it for me, but sometimes it’s just the sound of the racing engines. When I was 5, my Dad would take me to Ascot Park and we’d watch the speedway bikes race around the dirt track. I don’t think the smell of racing will ever not trigger those fond memories.

By: Deltus

Deltus — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 07:24:54 +0000

I was just about to say something along the lines of what Marcy just said. When I read that, I thought to myself, “Oh, it sounds like Joelle’s Mom wanted Joelle to be reminded of her.” How wonderful!

BTW, how’d Lulu like the raisins?

By: Marcy

Marcy — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:10:23 +0000

Hi Joelle…
Thanks for this beautiful entry… I lost my Dad 5 years ago.
My family and I bought my mother’s home and moved in with her, she has health issues and could never take care of all the things a house this size would require. After all these years here with all OUR stuff, there is one little storage room in the basement that still has alot of my Dad’s odds and ends..
I had not gone to this room in forever… but I swear to you the instant I did it was like he was there with me… the smell… the feel of things… items forgotten....it made me smile.
Are our loved ones every REALLY gone? I don’t know.....
Maybe your Mom just wanted to share a fig bar with you....
Thanks for reminding me of someone I love… excuse me I think I need to go downstairs.