Scent

Lately I have been noticing more than ever that scent is directly correlated with memories.  Sounds, mainly songs, and tastes I think have a strong tie to memories too, but there is just something about scent.  This weekend I went home to surprise my mom and slept over at my sister's house the night before she and I unveiled to my mom our sneaky operation "Surprise Momma for Mother's Day".  When I pulled my pajama shirt out of my bag to get ready for bed at my mom's house later that night, I could smell my sister's house distinctly.  By no means was it a bad smell that remained on my shirt from the night before, but it was the smell of Elsa's home - plain and simple.  As I put the shirt on memories started assembling.  Memories of sleep overs.  Unpacking my clothes the next day after a sleep over, I always could smell my best friend's house on my things.  The faint aroma that had absorbed into my belongings was accompanied by memories of the night before.  Watching movie after movie, eating too many skittles, and whispering in the darkness until sunrise.  I would and will remember these times without the aid of a familiar scent, but when I catch a whiff of a particular smell it sends me careening back to an exact time and place.