The first time it happened I was in a study carrel on the second floor of the Rhodes College library. Somebody walked by and I caught a whiff – light and floral, with a citrus undertone. Half a semester deep in my freshman year and nearly drowning in homesickness, I recognized it right away: Estee Lauder’s Beautiful. The scent of my mother.

That was more than 30 years ago, but the smell of her perfume still conjures up a host of memories for me. During a week when we honor our mothers, I asked some friends what scents they associate with theirs. Here’s what they said.

“There’s a magnolia tree outside of my parents’ home. The smell reminds me of time spent outside with my mom — walking, practicing softball, going on hikes, having picnics and playing basketball.” – A. F.

“One summer day I came into our clove and vinegar scent-filled house looking for my mom. From around the corner she startled me with a huge grin and blue-green fingers from working with food coloring in her sweet pickle recipe. She chased me with “monster fingers,” which was sort of uncharacteristic of Mom. I still don’t like sweet pickles or the smell of cloves, but that memory of Mom’s fun side is precious to me.” – R. N.

“Merle Norman makeup or Oscar de la Renta body powder.” – L. S.

“Fresh-cut grass. Cutting grass is something my mother has always enjoyed doing. As a child I hated that chore because we seemed to always be cutting someone’s grass and like most youngsters, I would rather be doing something fun. However, in my adulthood, I find myself taking much pleasure in cutting the grass. I am very blessed to have had a mother who instilled in me that whatever you do, do it with pride and for the glory of God.” – M. D.

“The scent I associate with my mom is a fragrance called “Celine Dion.” It’s comforting to me, almost making me forget she’s gone now. I close my eyes, and it brings back precious memories of her being all dressed up in one of her beautiful scarves with a smile on her face, waiting for us to assist her getting in the car to go to church on a Sunday morning.” – E. E.

“The smell of homemade bread because she’s baked it throughout my entire life, and it’s my favorite thing to eat.” – C. A.

“Cheer, her favorite laundry detergent.” – J. K.

“I would have to say chicken frying.  Mom loved to fry anything, but especially chicken, green tomatoes and eggplant.  Also, Mom got perms fairly often. My sister and I couldn’t stand the smell.” – T. R.

“Lavender and rosemary. She loved lavender. She also had a large rosemary bush growing in her backyard. We would walk in her garden and go by it to run our fingers through it.” – A. Y.

“The aroma of her Parker House homemade rolls  — made especially for holidays when we were all there. Oh, my.” — S. L.

“My mother loves a clean house, and one of my favorite memories as a child was spring cleaning. We would open all of the windows to air the house out, and then we would get busy deep cleaning. Once the house was thoroughly cleaned we would leave the house to go pick fresh buttercups to adorn each room. The aroma of Pine-Sol and buttercups remind me of my sweet mom every single time.” – T. B.

“Bath and Body Works Coconut Lime Verbena lotion. I gave her some, and she loved it.  After that, my son and his family kept her supplied at Christmas.” – J. D.

“It’s a laundry detergent scent. When we visit her, we all want to her to wash our clothes. I promise it’s not a ploy; I have even tried her particular brand, but it’s not the same. Also, my mom smells like a pound cake. She makes one almost every day. The sick, dying, moving or birthing from here to Gloster have had one made with love by her.” – T. S.

But there’s always someone who throws a curve, and my survey was no different. As P. W. pointed out, “It’s not a scent for me. It’s the sound of opera coming from all the stereo speakers in the house while she cooked on Saturdays.”

Opera while pots simmer on the stovetop? Now that’s a neat memory. But whatever sensory keepsakes we have to treasure, let’s be thankful for them – and our mothers – this Sunday.

 

Wesson resident Kim Henderson is a freelance writer who writes for The Daily Leader. Contact her at kimhenderson319@gmail.com.