Isn't it amazing how a smell can instantly take you back to a memory- a time, place, or person in your life that you haven't thought of in years? Today, I had one of these experiences. It was from chap-stick. The original, black label, disgusting smelling chap-stick brand lip balm.
I was in 2nd grade. It was Mrs. Stone's class, and it was just before Christmas break. I had chapped lips, so I was wearing the aforementioned lip balm. Just before lunch, Chad Lukavsky became ill and was showing signs of vomit. He began to gag and everyone started running away from him. I was just feet away when he vomited all over the floor. From that day on, I was terrified of him, and for the rest of the school year I was afraid to go near him. Not because I didn't want him to vomit on me, but because there was something scary about someone getting sick right in front of me like that. It was a very traumatic experience. To this day, the smell of original chap-stick reminds me of that day, and of the smell of vomit.
Of course, I also have many smells that bring back pleasant memories, or memories of people I love.
What smells bring back memories for you? Are they pleasant or unpleasant?
This is why I love you Jana. :)
ReplyDeleteI love smell memory. That's what I like to call it. ;) I associate scents with so many times in my life. I think the one I have that is both pleasant and unpleasant (depending on my mood and the time) is play-doh smell. Seriously, I know. Not for reasons you would think though. Have you ever smelled cornflowers? They smell like play-doh and I called them "playdoh flowers" when I used to detassel. To this day they always bring back all of my detasseling memories. Good times... AND crappy times. :)