Fragrance
Sometimes I go to “Daily Prompts” for inspiration. The word “Fragrance” puts me back to my childhood. My parents bought a modest small wooden summer-house with the hope of being able to build a proper house later. I can’t remember the sight of the sweet peas from my early childhood there but I remember the smell. They must have been there in our garden.
Sweet peas are seen behind me at the veranda at my parents’ home in 1955. I am four years old
Sweet peas from my garden this year
Last year and this summer we got them here in our garden. I realised that I had a longing for having them near me again. The smell is still the same and it’s like the most expensive perfume.
One of my fellow bloggers Chris who writes about healthy homemade juices had a post of sweet peas in July and she told us that these flowers and the beautiful smell reminded her of her young brother who died during July many years ago. He also loved these flowers. For Chris, the many coloured flowers forever remind her of her beloved brother who died way too young. The following quote from Chris’ blog “Pearsnotparsnips“:
I cut some sweet peas every year and bring them into the house for him. They are fragile, colourful and last only a short time, but they have a strong impact while they bloom and few are unaffected by their appearance.
I got to know her through Bernadette’s Senior Salon, a platform gathering our varied blogs. At this blog, we are reminded of reading each other’s posts as a condition for posting our own posts there. That’s what blogging is about, not just showing your blog like a “one man show”.
Bernadette lost her son this year in May and the Senior Salon has been put on pause. I have other good online friends via Bernadette’s Salon like British Clive who in his blog “Take it Easy” focuses on Mental Health. Clive is always very encouraging to me in his comments and takes his time to read my posts.
These things from nature, flowers and fragrances can bring joy in sadness for the loss of childhood or even loss of loved ones. The beauty of nature is still there through generations.
From one Heart to Another 
That continuity of beauty lifts the spirits. The Senior Salon will return soon my friend.
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What great news Bernadette. I am so thrilled to hear that and it lifts my motivation for writing. So good to keep in touch with you. God bless you with all you need through this time ❤️
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And I would have missed this post but for you and the resumption of the Senior Salon, Bernadette. You have been in my thoughts these past months and I’m glad you are feeling up to getting more active online again. Healing from loss takes a long time, however – bit by bit, layer by layer. Take care of YOU. ❤
xx,
mgh
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Yes, healing takes time and grief must be felt in order to come out the other side of life. Thanks for caring and thanks for the wonderful work that you do.
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Thank you, Bernadette. How lovely of you.
xx,
mgh
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very moving post. so beautifully said.
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So kind of you to make this comment
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Lovely words as ever, Maria. And thank you for referencing me in the company of wonderful bloggers like Bernadette and Chris. Also for reminding me what my blog started out to do – I’ve strayed a bit!
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Fragrances and odors can so often bring back memories of our childhood. I was born on an island, fishing town, and low tide was something you never forget. If I smell anything similar, I immediately say, “Uh-oh, low tide on Broad Channel!” It’s not a good smell, but it makes me smile! I’m glad you have the scent of sweet peas as your trigger.
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I know what you mean it’s so true. When a smell has do do with our own childhood then even the bad ones are nice
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Oh Maria, this was a lovely post but such a shock, I couldn’t respond last night when I read it, I was in tears, it was so unexpected. Such a moving and well-written, heartfelt post, thank you for your kind words and for linking to my post. That last line just came out of my fingertips. I had no idea I was going to write it.
I am so pleased you now have your own sweetpeas. Fragrance/scent/smell is so evocative. So many smells take us back to our childhood and to significant events in our lives. 💜
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I am so glad I could encourage you with my post. When I started I felt this is such a small thing to write about certain flowers but I knew I should remember your brother when I got into it. Then when I had finished and was on a gymnastic exercise I knew that this old photo from my early childhood had the flowers as a background. Another thing is that all your birthdays in July is such an emotional thing to cope with when your brother died in July.
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Yes, and my dad died at the beginning of August and now we have a grandchild born the day before to give me something else to focus on. I am very honoured that you chose to include me and my family in your thoughts and your lovely post. There isn’t a sweetpea emoji but I know you like roses too 💐 😊
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Yes, I love so many flowers. Only not when people mix the colours like orange and pink together. My sweet peas are in many colours but all suit each other
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I forgot to say I would like to say congrats on your new grand child and condole you on the loss of your father. The little one will bring you joy
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Thank you, but I’m sorry, I didn’t make it clear, Dad died 31 years ago and she was born 4 years ago, but yes, it makes a difference having something good to focus on that week.
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Now I understand
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I always remember my mother whenever I see Rhododendron. I remember because when I was young I pruned it for her – she was in a wheel chair and couldn’t do it herself. But I cut too much off the bush and it didn’t flower for two years. She missed the flower those years.. It was just outside the kitchen window.
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Oh poor you! I understand that you always remember that situation. It’s like one of my sons cutting the hedges for my father and then cut the electric line for the cutter at the same occasion
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Fragrances can stir lovely memories and also be very calming in some situations. Lovely blog, Maria.
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Thank you so much Eugnia
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Fragrances…such a wonderful trip down memory lane. Have a great week, Maria! 🙂 xo
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Lovely post & lovely photos, Maria – and you are so wonderful to acknowledge Bernadette, Chris and Clive. You are so right that developing community is the best part of blogging. Glad you are part of mine.
xx,
mgh
(Madelyn Griffith-Haynie – ADDandSoMuchMORE dot com)
ADD/EFD Coach Training Field founder; ADD Coaching co-founder
“It takes a village to transform a world!”
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Very correct to point that flowers and smells from nature are always there to bring back the memories. Those memories could be very close to your heart. Man made fragrances can only imitate but the true nature you can experience with nature and its beauty only. The post is touching and I enjoyed reading. Thank you Maria, keep up the good work.
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Thank you very much
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