It always amazes me how certain smells can bring to mind related memories. As I reflect on the day, I’m actually drawn to remember the smells I encountered. Yep, I totally feel like that last sentence should link me in some way to canines (and maybe one day I’ll turn into a werewolf), but moving on...
Smell of Cucumber Melon: I woke up and got ready as I usually do realizing that tonight was game 2 of the State of Origin rugby finals between the Maroons and Blues. I rooted for Blues last time and so planned on rooting for Maroons tonight. The reason: the Blues won last time and there are three games played with the same teams. If the Blues won tonight, the third game (which happens anyway as I’ve gathered) wouldn’t be as epic. However, I still wanted to wear blue today, so I did. I figured I could always change after work and get my face-paint on! As the last of my morning prep came to a close, I stepped through a mist of cucumber melon fragrance (that always reminded me of the Hospital Guest House when one of the guests gave me her perfume of it).
Smell of Tuna: The next thing I did was feed the dogs and did a bit of training with it. I mix the dry dog food with tuna and make them wait until I say “okay” to eat it. They usually look like they’re smiling, but when they know I’m about to let them eat, they get the cutest, serious-look on their faces. I love it and it makes me chuckle at times. Tuna reminded me of sharing it with the guys from Baitabu that showed us half of the way back to Nobnob (on the last day and hike of our 3-day hike).
Smell of Coffee and Tea: Delaina and I made it into the office. I usually put my things at my desk, get settled, and head for the coffee. Since I’ve been sick, I headed, instead, to the tea. It was so tempting to get coffee, but I knew there would be a time to drink it again later (when I can truly enjoy it more). The tea reminded me of Megan B (a friend I met in Dallas) who would share different teas with me very often and really got me liking them lots. The coffee reminded me of my Dad (who would drink it at church and got me loving the aroma, even after I tried super cold coffee for my first try---yuck). Anyway, I grabbed my tea and worked as it cooled.
Smell of Chlorine: Diane and I had to pick up four plastic containers to put Elementary Prep materials in (for the course coming up--- for 4 language groups). On the way, I smelled chlorine and was taking back to Fishery Park and the feel of summer on my skin. Though I was loving the memory, I had to snap out of it since we were walking down the busy street (where its best to keep sharper awareness). We got what we were looking for, paid, and walked back to the office. I hadn’t been in those stores and down that street in far too long. It made me happy to have everything within walking distance while at the office.
Smell of Death: I continued working, took my reading and lunch break, still worked on curriculum and books, ran to another store with Kathy to grab some supplies, had a piece of cake from a celebrated birthday, and rode home with Delaina. We were talking when we were staggered by a nearby smell of rot and decay. Something dead. I followed it to a trash can and surmised that it must be the dead cat that Ishmael had found on Monday (courtesy of dogs that apparently didn’t like a skeletal cat coming onto the premises). We’d seen him carrying it by the tail and I’d thought he’d bury or burn it. Apparently not. Almost four days after its terrible demise and there was no way I was opening that trash can lid to see the decay process. I had, thankfully, deducted that it was there and could only imagine how many flies would head my way if I opened up that “can-of-worms”. Blah! (Though I wasn’t there, my mind raced to what the people were thinking when Jesus said to open Lazarus’s tomb. No way! He’s gonna stink and there’s no way I want to even imagine -with smell or sight- what he looks like now!) Its safe to say that Delaina and I moved away very shortly after our discovery.
Smell of Apples: I went into my house and somewhat unpacked from the day. I’d bought three green apples while at the store (since I’m sick and want to keep the doctors away). I picked one up and breathed in a few whiffs. It took me back to when I was in college (or actually whatever period of time I was in) and got an apple. I would spend a bit of time just smelling the fruit before sinking my teeth in. It was the smell of crispness. Freshness. Lusciousness. It took me to Autumn. To the colored leaves crackling under foot. To the Apple Festival where so many people would gather to enjoy the presence of others and the good fruits of Fall. To climbing out hill up to the old apple tree and looking out on the mountains. No wonder I would smell them for so long before even tasting the juicy flavor. Yes, of all the scents I have experienced, it is in the top three (along with Autumn as first and school supplies and a freshly mowed lawn tied for third). I did end up eating it.
Smell of Banana, Chocolate, and Pumpkin: After eating my apple, I got ready and painted up to go to the State of Origin party. Before the game started, we had some games on the XBox and then the pie broke out! There was pumpkin pie, coconut pie, banana cream pie, and chocolate pie! (Pie honestly reminds me of church fellowship meals, Thanksgiving, and the first “Pie Supper” that I attended here in PNG.) I had a few slices of three out of the four pies and cheered on the maroons. They won!!! What, what!!!!??!!! It was a fun night. Now, all I’ve got to do it figure out who to root for on the third game!
Smell of smoke: I went back to the apartment and washed off the makeup from the game. I did my usual routine before going to bed and then lit a candle as I turned off the light. It flickered as I talked to God. Lighting a candle each night before going to bed has helped me fall asleep better since the break in. I even blew out the candle before totally drifting off to sleep. As the tiny stream of smoke curled upwards, I drifted off to sleep in the peace that God knows what He’s doing, is watching over me, and gave me my senses to respond to life around me.
No comments:
Post a Comment