I think we sometimes underestimate the sense of smell compared to the other senses, but it has a huge effect on me, effortlessly taking me back to my childhood in a flash.
If I’m stop and go driving in town and get behind a truck or diesel VW chugging diesel fuel, it takes me back to my childhood in the city and riding the local transit buses with my mom to pick up some things. Those shopping trips usually involved getting a treat if my brother and I were behaved.
My mom, brother and I spent a lot of time on my grandparents’ farm and that’s where I get wonderful memories if I smell fresh cut birch trees, wood smoke, hay, goats or fresh baked bread.
The smell of beer brewing will take me back to my teen years and summer vacations during hot humid days in Montreal. Thank you Molson!
Certain perfumes and after shave scents are forever imprinted on my brain with the face of the person that wore it. Mind you, I don’t smell much Brut or Hai Karate these days. I think it must be fairly rare, but there’s always Old Spice that brings back memories of Dad.
What smells take you back to your childhood in a flash?
