Memories Found

In September of 2010 I was in a smash and grab. I had stopped at a red light on the way home, about 10pm, and the next thing I knew, a man had smashed my passenger side window, grabbed my cellphone, my necklace and my bag. I froze. Literally. I couldn't move until he was out of the car and gone. With my belongings.

For a week I was in a state. There were other things happening in my life at that stage, and I can honestly say that I didn't know if I'd get past it. It's the lowest I have ever been, and I hope to never go there again.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I ran. To my aunt and uncle's house for the weekend. Somehow, I had to find my strength again, and I knew I couldn't do it at home; and no one else would be able to help me with it either. It was the best thing I've ever done.

When my mom died, I spent a couple of weeks searching for things that would remind me of her. I found a lot, but the one thing I couldn't find was her scent. That particular perfume that would remind me of her. As far as I know, my mom never had a favourite perfume, and she seldom wore any. It bothered me. Scents have always triggered strong memories of people for me; my grandmother always smelt of mothballs and baby powder for example. But I couldn't find a scent I associated with Mom.

Until I arrived back at work, and happened to be walking past the flowerbeds. I caught a hint of a scent, my head whipped up, and I stared. It was my mom through and through. The flowering plant, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (Brunfelsia pauciflora). I was ecstatic! Finally, a scent that reminded me of my mom.

I don't remember who I told, but I know for sure I never told my uncle. And then, last year; on the 11th of September, a week after the one year anniversary of my mom's death, and five days after my safe little world shattered along with my car window; my uncle led me into the darkness of the spare bedroom and asked me what I smelt.

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow... My uncle had opened the window to let in the scent of the bush that grew right outside it. And the room was full of the comforting scent of my mother. I was safe and calm for the first time in a week. And even when I left at the end of the weekend, that feeling stayed with me.

I never did get any of my stuff back. The only thing that bothered me about that though, was that my notebook with my poems in it; and my memory stick with all the writing I'd ever done had been in my bag. And things like that can't be replaced. The memory stick bothered me especially, because I couldn't remember it being in my bag at the time. I was sure I'd left it at home. But search as I might, it was gone.

Until this morning. When Orphan made my day by handing it to me and saying it had been in her bag all this time. It only took four months for me to get it back... But at least it's better than if some thief had it and I'd never found it again.

You've gotta love those memories. ^_^