I Know Whom I Have Believed...


Monday, November 16, 2009

The Scent of Love


What does love smell like to you?




A baby’s breath...

Homemade cookies baking...

A favorite perfume or fragrant flower...


Last Saturday, I smelled love in a cabinet.


In my living room, there is a beautiful antique secretary. When my Granddaddy passed away, my Daddy got this piece of furniture and passed it to me.

It has open shelves on both sides of the top half, and three shelves behind a glass door. On these enclosed shelves are porcelain figurines, a Bible, and some treasured books and memorabilia that belonged to my Granddaddy.

This cabinet is dusted each week and polished every few weeks. The enclosed shelves tend to go a little longer between cleanings, because...they don’t get dusty as quickly...and I get lazy busy sometimes...there...I have admitted it to the world...

Anyway...I had polished everything but the enclosed shelves. My husband had gone out, so it was just me, the dog and the cat at home. My mind was wandering to the upcoming Thanksgiving time get-togethers, and to the uncertainty in situations with some of my family.

Memories of “simpler” times were flickering on the edge of my thoughts. Hopes of reunions and restorations were laying heavy on my heart, as I opened the glass door on the secretary.

And then I smelled it...a memory so strong I had to grab the polish filled cloth to catch the tears...the smell of Granddaddy’s house...the scent of love...

It is said that the Lord gives us memories of our loved ones to comfort us in our grief, encourage us in our walk, and foreshadow the glorious reunion to come.

In this time of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for memories...and for the scent of love...



13 thoughts:

Cathy said...

Loved your sweet thoughts, Karen ~ Thank God for the wonderful memories.

Karen said...

Beautiful memories. After Grandmother died, I went in to make breakfast for Grandpa and I smelled the smell of Grandmother's pan that she made biscuits in. It is hard to describe. I also recently realized how our new grandbaby can smell her Mom in the room before she hears or sees her, and she will stop whimpering!

Carrie said...

That is so sweet! I know exactly what you mean and what a hopeful thought at the end!

Aunt Gwen said...

Karen, that was beautiful...I can hardly write because of the tears...I experience the same feeling every time I open the cabinet door in our guest bathroom....the one Granddaddy used those last few months....the scent of his shaving mug /soap overwhelms me each time...Though I have removed most of his things from the cabinet, I doubt I will ever remove the shaving mug with soap and brush....So many times I have opened that door just to experience that scent that makes me feel my daddy's presence. It truly is the LOVE SCENT...

Unknown said...

Beautiful words! I love smelling my precious little girl (8 months old). I hope to forever imprint that smell in mind!

Deborah Ann said...

What a beautiful breath of heaven to be able to immerse yourself in the aroma of your loved ones. I just love it when God shows off like that!

Peggy said...

Ohhh Karen, Beautiful! Your descriptive words and your loving memories. I loved these two the best:

..."the Lord gives us memories of our loved ones to comfort us in our grief, encourage us in our walk, and foreshadow the glorious reunion to come."

"I smelled it...a memory so strong I had to grab the polish filled cloth to catch the tears...the smell of Granddaddy’s house...the scent of love"

But I really love your transparent honest admission...(lol) way of sharing it that is...dust is dust.
It is not a must..In the inside as much so savor the scent of love!
Precious sweet sister! I pray the tears were washed by the scent & the love of memories, a dog & a cat
but mostly the Lord!(I hung on to clothes with their scent for that reason)! Blessings!

Denise said...

Such memories.... I so miss my grandmother. She could fry chicken like no one else could do.. and her lemon meringue pie would fill the air with smell that would make your mouth water before your eyes ever see the pie....... What memories...

I love when I see your sweet face coming to visit my blog...

Andysbethy said...

My Mom has taken to wearing my Grandma's lotion when she goes to bed. I LOVE that, because it reminds me of the years of happy memories of my grandma holding me, and also because now I want my children to associate that smell with happiness too.
You really have a beautiful way with words. Thanks for sharing them!

Jackie said...

Hey Karen!

I've noticed that you and I have some of the same bloggy friends and wanted to stop by and meet you! I also noticed that you are a Georgia gal.....so am I but I just happen to live a little west of GA....well maybe alot - I live in Arizona (but still miss the South)!

Was so blessed by this post. I've had similar Divine happenings and aren't they just precious! I just love it when God blesses us in that way!! He's awesome isn't He!!

Thanks for sharing!

Sweet Blessings!
Jackie

LisaShaw said...

I'm crying with you right now. I have had moments like this with the items I have from my Grandparents.

What a blessing to have these beautiful memories and love-scents.

My Grandma's sewing kit kept her scent in it for almost 10 years.

Love you.

Aunt Angie said...

Oh Karen. You sound like me. There are some scents that so remind me of Wanda, of my Mamo and my Granny.

God was so good to give us these senses---knowing what joy they would bring.

Sweet memories.

Sharon Lynne said...

I loved this post. I have an old desk that belonged to my grandmother. She wrote the missionaries on it.

I can relate to "uncertain family situations". My anxious thoughts about this abound...but God is helping me to trust him.

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