After turning eighteen just a few weeks ago, I’ve found myself reflecting on some of my favorite parts of my younger years. Then, because I’m weird (and embrace my weirdness whole heartedly), I began thinking of my favorite childhood scents. So without further ado, for your reading pleasure, I present to you my 5 favorite scents from childhood.
5 – New Basketball Equipment
Whether it was a new basketball, new shoes, or even a new duffle bag, there was and is a scent to basketball equipment always makes me smile. Better than “that new car smell,” the scent of new basketball equipment is one that I can’t well describe with words. So just go to your nearest Target or Dick’s and just smell a new basketball (and don’t shy away ’cause a manager gives you the stink eye)…you’ll understand what I mean.
4 – The Weight Room
There’s always been something about the musty, metallic weight room smell that’s always appealed to me. Aside from the blood, sweat, and calluses that materialize in this magical place, I could (and can still) smell effort, work ethic, and perseverance, and those are smells I’ll never get tired of. (And yes, I could smell all that as a twelve-year-old. Deal with it.)
3 – Dinner
It didn’t matter if it was pizza, jambalaya, Chinese, burgers, jerk chicken, or even Ramen; the smell of dinner holds, and will always hold, a special place in my heart. For the smell of dinner wasn’t just the smell of food, but the smell of mouth watering goodness. The smell of nutrients one could savor forever…except when you couldn’t. That’s the only reason dinner doesn’t rank higher on this list. There are just some things – like brussel sprouts and sauerkraut – that I just don’t like the smell or taste of. In these instances, the smell of dinner was the smell of death via hurling.
2 – A New Book
Not to hate on e-books (well, maybe just a little), but you just can’t beat the smell of a new physical book. The scent of the fresh ink on the smooth, majestic pages is one that I deem vital to my existence.
1 – My Grandma
My grandma’s scent is so indescribable that…well, I really can’t describe it. Suffice it to say, it’s the best scent in the entire world! Furthermore, she leaves the scent on anything she uses or even touches. I’ve found the scent to be in various newspaper clippings she’s sent me, Christmas presents, and, much to my surprise and delight, the scent even blasted out the air vents of her old car three years after she stopped using it and gave it to my family. My grandma’s scent is so heavenly, so divine, that I honestly wish I could bottle it up. And if I could, I’d be a millionaire because it would be the best perfume the world has ever seen. Without a shadow of doubt, my grandma’s scent was the best scent of my entire childhood (and is the best scent of my young adult life).
So there you have it! My 5 favorite scents from childhood. If your personal list differs in any way, share it in the comments. I’d love to hear what childhood scents you hold dear (though I’m telling you now, nothing can beat my grandma’s scent)!
Until next time, have a wonderful weekend.
– JP
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Click to tweet “Dinner ranks fairly well…as it should.”
Click to tweet “That new book smell ranks well…as it should.”
Click to tweet “My grandma’s scent is so indescribable that…well, I really can’t describe it.”
3 Comments
Scents that stir emotion in me are…
5. The scent of freshly cut grass in the Fall reminds me of the joys of playing football.
4. Like you the scent of the weight room particularly the metallic smell of the barbell on my hands.
3. The scent of the ocean breeze relaxes the body and mind.
2. The scent of a new born baby is a scent that fill my heart with hope for the future.
1. The scent of my Father’s shirts after he finished a workday give me feelings of comfort.
Those are all good scents as well! The scent of a new born baby just missed my list. I like how, for a number of, your scents have a memory included. Scents have the
ability to rejuvenate the mind and cause one to be a bit nostalgic.
As JP’s brother, I can vouch for 4 of his 5 scents. I don’t really see where he’s coming from on the weight room thing, but our Grandma’s is by far the best scent that my nose has had the wonderful opportunity to smell.