While cleaning up my home office yesterday, I ran across a familiar brown bottle of liquid that I hadn't seen in several years. As I stood there, staring for what seemed like an hour at the bottle in my hand, I slowly removed the lid and placed the bottle to my nose. I took a deep breath in and tears immediately spilled like a waterfall down my cheeks and I could taste the salt as they hit my tongue.
It was "Youth Dew" perfume......and had belonged to my Mom.
I can't remember a time Mom didn't wear Youth Dew.....she OWNED this smell.....it was hers. And smelling this once again after saying goodbye 2 1/2 years ago, brought back a flood of memories. A virtual downpour of precious souvenirs for me. But mostly, the love I felt when she would hug me.....smelling of Youth Dew.....and how safe I felt in her arms.....how perfectly and utterly safe my heart was with her.
So, why am I telling you this?
I really don't know.
Maybe it's because another Liz; a friend I grew up with, lost her Mom this week and my heart grieves and breaks for her....I want to grab her, hug her, feel her wet salty tears on my shoulder....and to tell her to save her Mom's favorite perfume....she'll need it later.
To tell her it's the little things that she'll miss the most.....
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17 comments:
Makes my heart ache. BUT we will see our precious moms before too very long! What a time that will be!!!!
Liz, this made me tear up too. I still have my Mom who is all there at an almost healthy 96. But I know the clock is ticking and I get so sad thinking about how life will be without her.
Awww sweetie..can’t wait to hug you and hear more about your Mom today…Love you with all my heart...
Wow oh wow oh wow!!!!! Love you for seeing the beauty all around us and you are one of the most beautiful people I know (inside and out)"
Beautiful! Yes, I have my moms Chanel No.5, Earlenes"opium", and grandmas "L'air Du Temps"... When I want a hug from them I do the same thing..
This was lovely Liz. I'm learning to write out my memories of Katelyn so I never forget.
I had a simular moment when I opened her make-up case wnen going through Her things a couple of months ago. .... I VERY GENTLY CLOSED THE CASE AND REVERENTLY PLACED IT BACK IN ITS PLACE. It took several hours to stop the tears. I miss Her so.
Oh, Liz, I still have my mom's perfume too! "White Shoulders!" And my Daddy's monogrammed sweaters and wallet. A fedora hat or two, and a lifetime of foundational blessings.
Sweetheart,
I so relate!
It's been eleven and twelve years for me now since losing Mother and Daddy.
I love you and tears filled my eyes as well,
Kitty
Dear Liz, I always wear Youth Dew...it's what my mother wore. I remember when I was young, we walked through a department store and smelled 'Youth Dew'. Mother and I both turned around and went back to the 'expensive' perfume counter. I was 10 or 12, but I said, "Mother, you have to have this!" She paid $17 for the bottle of perfume....more than she ever spent on herself that I had ever witnessed.
The true story of how the fragrance became so popular was: When Estee Lauder (who was American, by the way) went to Sax Fifth Avenue in New York, to ask them to carry her new fragrance; she was told 'they ONLY carry French perfumes.' She, undaunted, went to all of the revolving doors and poured the fragrance on the floor of each. Women came in begging to buy the fragrance. The buzz she created by doing this caused the birth of a new industry, American Perfume.
Every morning when I get out of the shower, the first thing I do is spray all over with Youth Dew. I always feel like my Mother is blessing me. And I truly believe she is.
Love you, Sandee
Dear Liz, I always wear Youth Dew...it's what my mother wore. I remember when I was young, we walked through a department store and smelled 'Youth Dew'. Mother and I both turned around and went back to the 'expensive' perfume counter. I was 10 or 12, but I said, "Mother, you have to have this!" She paid $17 for the bottle of perfume....more than she ever spent on herself that I had ever witnessed.
The true story of how the fragrance became so popular was: When Estee Lauder (who was American, by the way) went to Sax Fifth Avenue in New York, to ask them to carry her new fragrance; she was told 'they ONLY carry French perfumes.' She, undaunted, went to all of the revolving doors and poured the fragrance on the floor of each. Women came in begging to buy the fragrance. The buzz she created by doing this caused the birth of a new industry, American Perfume.
Every morning when I get out of the shower, the first thing I do is spray all over with Youth Dew. I always feel like my Mother is blessing me. And I truly believe she is.
Love you, Sandee
I feel ya on this one girl friend, Youth Dew is my mom's favorite and only perfume too, she's used it as far back as I can remember. I'll be sure and keep her bottle when the times comes, never thought before, about what you said here, but yes, it will be a wonderful memory to have that scent with me always. Love ya,
D
That's my perfume too...will my kids & grands know & remember that smell?
I pray they do. Maybe I'll write it in my "instructions" for my end to save that bottle.
Love your stories, don't quit.
Love, Doy
Thank you my dear friend for sending and sharing this most special moment in your life with me. I can surely relate as I had my Mom's and being a man I didn't know what to do with it, I ask my daughter who took one bottle of something but that left me with all the remaining makeup, perfume and all. Then I found out my sister-in-law used the same as Mom and she and Mom were very close. How great this was, Maryann took it off my hands and was glad to get it. As I told you my mother was very special to me, we were very close so I can look back any day and remember and reflect on the beautiful little lady my Mom was as well as the good job she did taking caring of four boys while Dad was away working. Well just a note to say thanks, hope to see you'all tomorrow.
Love Ya,
John
Only someone who has lost their mom could understand....
Oh dearest friend, I loved that you used the word souvenir. It is actually the French verb "to remember" - how lovely is that??
I love you and thank our God for you!
Beautiful
Liz, I have admired your strength and courage, the sincerity and realness in which you write and 'talk'...not only about your life experiences but all of the 'so much more' that is in between your words. Thank you. You have giving me hope and faith even when you didn't know it! You have a beautiful family and I will keep you and Chuck in my prayers.
Keep on writing...your words and talent are a true inspiration!
Love, venessa
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