Memory

Hello,

It is strange how memory works. It calls itself up at the strangest times. There are many theroies on memory and there are many studies being done. I am going to lend my amature thoughts.

They say that sent is the strongest sense tied to memory. If you smell something that you smelled at an event three years ago, you tend to think about that event. But what about something you grew up smelling? What does that remind you of? My answer emotion.

Here are my examples:

The last time I went home I did my laundry at home. This isn't really a big deal because it is free at college too, but I like doing it at home. The one thing home has that I don't at school is real fabric softener, the kind you pour in. This stuff works much better than the dryer sheets. Anyways, as I was getting ready for bed I happened to smell my pajamas. They smelled like my house and the fabric softener my family uses. We have used it my entire life. When my mom did laundry it filled the house. When she tucked me into bed as a little kid her clothes smelled of it. Eachday for 18 years when I put on my clothes I smelled it, and when my clothes didn't smell of it I would through them into my hamper to be washed. But when I smelled this I didn't think really of all those times. I didn't remember spacific events. I felt. When I smelled the fabric softener I instantaneously felt. I felt comfortable. I felt love. I felt the way I do when I first get home, or the way I felt when I would sit on the sofa doing homework, or even my moms hug. It makes me miss home a little, but really the smell just makes me want to smile.

My aunt on my dad's side also has a particular smell. I love it. Some times I smell other women wearing that same sent and it makes me think of her and her kind smile and big hugs. I hope one day when I am an aunt my neices and nephews think the same of my perfume.

Sights are a great reminder also.

Last night my roommate was sick and we had to take her to the E.R. She is ok, but if you were at all concerend that means you are a good person. As I sat in the waiting room I watched a mother stroking her daughters hair. The mom had genuine concern on her face but she wasn't showing that to her teenage daughter. The daughter leaned her head on her mom's shoulder and they sat that way until the daughter put her head in her moms lap. The whole time her mom was very caring but calm. She let her teenaged daughter be in pain and act like she was young. This reminded me of when my mom would take me into the hospital and wait with me. She would comfort me and talk to me. She would stroke my hair or hold my hand. She didn't care that it was 11 at night or that she had to sit in an uncomfortable waiting room. She didn't care that I was complaining or even sometimes too old to act like I needed to be taken care of. I was her daughter and I was sick or hurt and that all she cared about. All she cared about was me. How do you thank someone for that? Grateful isn't the word. That word fails in comparison to what I feel. She was there through everything holding my hand and letting me act like I felt was nessicary. She loved intensely and unconditionally. How do you thank some one for that?

That is all for now.

Ta ta