Can You think of a memory attached to the ‘SCENT’ in life? It could be of anything, but indeed close to the heart. I Am Sure you must have more than ONE!
Our brain stores memories through everything we touch, experience, taste, smell, see and many other things. ”SMELL” certainly is an element that helps stored memories flash out.
I personally feel the SCENT – SMELL is the most vital memory trigger. Memories and emotions are a potent combination in themselves.
It can be a smell of perfume associated with ‘SOMEONE’ we are close with or a strong SCENT of lilacs. It could be the scent of the OCEAN or the Mud of the first rain after summer. It could be the smell of coffee or tea made by mother, first in the morning. Bouquet of your favourite food, perfumes, flowers, books and their pages, and so much more…
It can be connected to an event that has had a strong emotional impact on us in the past. So when we smell that particular smell, it can trigger an emotional response. This can happen even years down the road.
It’s a fact that our sense of smell is automatically heavily connected to our memory system. However, few such memories have been engraved in me for a lifetime. The scent that evokes memories for me is Eucalyptus. It has always remained close to my heart. It’s my absolute favourite scent, full of nostalgia, love and simpler times. My childhood memories are attached to it, with many functions, celebrations and gatherings.
Eucalyptus was used by my mother in the mixer of freshly homemade ‘Mehndi’ with a few other ingredients. No celebrations have been completed without applying them on our hands to date. The aroma of mehndi stays for days on hands and months in hearts.
Also, the smell of the gentle monsoon breeze takes me to the afternoon sitting outside our house on a porch with my mother and friends.
Anytime I smell such a familiar smell in life, I try to take it in me as much as I can as a storage for the upcoming days. It makes me feel alive and energetic.
Do you share with me what is yours? Would love to read your share!
Lamiya Siraj: Stories & Beyond 
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