I don’t know why, but the sense of smell has always been a big thing to me. I still to this day know what my 2nd grade teacher smelled like, the scent of perfume my grandma Ruth used that she had in this cute turtle figurine on her dresser and the undeniable smell of my mother who has this mixture of smells that I don’t know if I could put into words. When I was little I would snuggle with my mom on the couch and afterward I would go to bed and I could still smell her on my pj’s. She always had a couple distinct scents: Cliniqué aromatics, some amber stuff from Victoria’s secret, Nivea lotion, and of course very strong hints of patchouli. Some how it all mixes together and you have the scent of my mom.
While growing up this scent became stronger and I swear my mother would drench herself is in these smells so you would know when she was coming or if she had been there. I have to be honest I didn’t always like this scent because it was very strong. She used to - well, still does - spray her scent all over any package she sends to me. The poor UPS man always gives me strange looks when my packages come at Christmas and birthdays. Recently, she came for a baby shower my friends and church were having for me and I know she rubbed patchouli oil all over my guest bedroom. I still can’t get rid of the hippie smell even after washing every thing.
Well, as many women know, after you have your first baby many things change. After recently giving birth to my first daughter I have found my aversion to my mom’s scent changing. My mom was so wonderful to come and help me during the birth and then stayed for a week and half to help me get settled with my new baby. Really what she did was help calm all the fears you have as a new mommy and kept me laughing along the way. I can’t begin to tell you how thankful I was that she was there with me.
While she was here I let her borrow one of my big fuzzy bathrobes because it was so cold. After she left I had put the bathrobe in my closet and forgot about it. Then one day after showering I was changing in my closet when I smelled it, the scent of my mother. I grabbed the bathrobe and wrapped myself in all my mom’s wonderful scent and sat down and just had a good cry. I know this sounds like the typical postpartum mom. I realized, after all these years, that I don’t hate this smell, but that it really is a comfort to me and the smell of someone I love dearly.
I hope that my daughter will know and one day love the scent of her mom.
3 Comments
Dana, This brought tears to my eyes. It is hard to put a feeling into words, but you succeeded beautifully. I hope one day someone thinks of me the way you do about your mom. Congrats on the new baby girl!
Reading that kind of made me tear up! Very well said Dana!
I tune in often, but never thought in a million years that I would respond to a post. This is your space, not mine. But, I can’t help but love Trudi. The list is long. The many things I love about Dana and Josh. And about their newest addition, Ruthie who I am already head-over-heels for. But, one of the best things about loving Dana is loving all that there is to her, including one of my very favorite subjects…Trudi.
I have been fortunate enough to have been on the receiving end of the delivery route of the aforementioned UPS man. I also consider myself fortunate enough to have spent a buncha extraordinary time with the bewitching Trudi. I understand the scent of a momma well, but if I may extend that to say that the scent of Trudi does reach beyond. It is the scent of a hippie (of course), the scent of a friend, the scent of a strong-willed, independent woman, the scent of the fullest belly-laughs and craziness, the scent of unique wisdom, the scent of the most sincere love and concern for those most important to her and those well beyond. DanaB describes the scent perfectly. For me, it’s just immediate recognition and the uncontrolled glee of the proximity of a long lost friend, an inspiring free-spirit that I can soak in and enjoy every moment. It’s a scent that I don’t even realize that I’m looking forward to until the moment I smell it. I love my friends the Brewers for many, many reasons one of which is the enchanting Trudi.