Musings from the Ozone

There are a few scents that instantly propel me back into memories of my childhood.  My mother wore some distinct perfumes that to this very day remind me of her.  Chanel #5 was one of her favorite scents; I have a little bottle of it in my dresser drawer and although it is almost empty, it still evokes memories of my mother.  My dad was always mindful of her favorite perfumes, and would give her an expensive perfume for Christmas or for her birthday.  Her eyes would light up, and you knew she was always totally enraptured by the gift. 

 It was easy to buy perfumes for my mother, for she was always very grateful and appreciative.  While I connect perfume with early memories of my mother,  there is something about the beautiful scent of perfume that  also brings back other memories of other people.   I used to read remarks that if you have a trademark perfume, wear it often enough, people begin to associate you with that scent.  It could be true, for I have worn my present perfume for years now, and people say they know my perfume!   I have reasons for doing so.

 It all started years ago when I visited the country of France.  My husband and I were missionaries to Uruguay, and we had come home to the USA for our furlough.  I was invited on a 2 week trip to France, and all I had to do was pay for my flight.  I would stay in the home of missionaries, and they would take care of me!  I would sing and play an accordion for church services, and even speak at one of the ladies meetings.  What a thrill of a lifetime!  We went to the countryside of France, over into Belgium,  and most importantly, we saw all the major sights of Paris.   Going with people who know a city and the country is of more value than one can imagine.  I was amazed at their patience to point out things to me.  One day we went into a perfume store, and I was thinking about buying several little bottles of perfume to take home; perfumes that were in little bottles,  neatly  packaged together to sell.   The missionary, who is French, and has exquisite taste advised me to buy one big bottle and enjoy it for a long time.  It did seem sensible, even though it was difficult to find the exact perfume that I might enjoy for a long time.  Suddenly, I came upon a scent that pleased me from the moment I took a whiff.  I would  invest in this perfume, and felt sure I would enjoy it for a long time.

 Coming home with all my souvenirs was a thrilling day!  My kids loved all the trinkets, and although I couldn't afford expensive souvenirs, they were pleased mostly that I was home again.  Two weeks is a long time to be away from small children!  My youngest daughter was entranced with the big bright bottle of perfume which I set on the dresser!  She was only 2 years old and very inquisitive about things.  I cannot remember how long it was before she managed to reach that bright and beautiful bottle, but reach it she did!  The next memory I have was of this smart little girl sitting on my bed with the bottle of perfume nearly drained of all its' contents, poured out all over the bedspread, sheet and mattress.  I felt heart sick, knowing I had put all my perfume money on that one bottle, and now it was nearly gone!

 The scent of my perfume lingered in our bedroom so strongly at first, that my eyes would tear up the minute I walked into the room!  We turned the mattress over, of course, but we knew that we wouldn't mask the scent by just turning it over…it was part and parcel of the bedroom scent from then on!  Later, when we settled down in Jackson, we had to buy a new mattress.  The scent of the old mattress went on out with the salesmen who brought in my new mattress!

 These sort of memories are incidental; but to me, the meaning of perfume is wrapped up, tied up and  connected with beauty, pleasantness, and a lovely ambiance.  Perfumes and scents have the power to bring up a 1000 memories.  Spiritually speaking, we know we have to be crushed at times to bring out the inner  beauty of Godliness and holiness.  A sweet spirit of a person is something that can be had, in spite of trying circumstances!  It is a fact that if the spirit of a person is sweet, it will permeate all of the environment they live in.    As rose petals have to be crushed in order to make perfume, our spirits have to be crushed at times to bring out our true spirit.  If it is a Godly spirit in us, we will become wiser, sweeter, softer and gentler people.    We have to let God work on us in order to make the sweet fragrant spirit He wishes us to have.