A hint of scent carries me away to other times and places, some sweet, some bittersweet. A co-worker's perfume transports me back to first grade where Mrs. Eggers smiles and welcomes us all to our new school. New babies carry their own mix of spit-up formula and diaper, that washes away with Johnson's Baby shampoo and powder. Whenever I hold a newborn, I breathe deep and am transported to bath time smiles with my babies, blowing bubbles on their bellies. My father prided himself on being a sharp dressed man when occasion required; suits and ties and English Leather cologne on clean shaven cheeks. I can still see him with his face lathered and his double-edged razor dragging slow strokes up his neck and cheeks, then swishing the soapy razor in the sink. He always said he felt good after a fresh shave. You won't find English Leather anymore; it has gone the way of the Dodo and Woolly Mammoth. I wish I had saved one of his empty bottles. Then whenever I needed him most I could breathe deep and feel him standing beside me.
~Elise Skidmore ©2022
