The Smell

I wrote this a while ago, but only posted it on Facebook. So, here we go.


Today, walking along Calhoun, cold wind beating against my face, warmth of a coffee warming my fingertips, I smelled something. It hit me and I could not help but stop, dead in my tracks in the middle of the sidewalk, frozen not from the temperature but from the emotion. The smell was familiar; it made me feel safe, loved, home. No words could describe it and my mind could not pinpoint its source or a name to the wonderful scent.

Continuing on my way, into the courtyard between Berry and Lightsey, I settled down at a table, pulling my coffee to my lips to be warmed once again. I let my mind relax and I let my body respond to the cold, sending goose bumps up my arms.

Then I smelled it again.

Again, I felt the feeling of delight, joy, safety, love. It calmed me in a way that nothing else can. But this time, I knew what it was - it was the smell of winter.

Immediately, my mind was invaded with memories of being piled in the car with my entire family as we drove out to James Island for the Festival of Lights; of setting up the Christmas tree with my siblings as my parents looked on and prepared each ornament; of the daily changing the number of days until Christmas on the chalkboard; of being tackled by my sister at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning to wake up; of my father starting a fire as the family collected in the living room to open presents; of my brother’s smiling face as he rocked himself in pure excitement to open his present; of the smell of my father’s famous Christmas Breakfast Casserole cooking in the oven; of the sound of my father’s powerful voice recounting the story of the birth of Christ; of the yells of excitement as presents were passed out; of the joyful noise of ripping paper as each gift was strategically opened; of the sight of the tears of my mother as she was overjoyed by her children’s happiness; of crazy chaos of my brother and father attempting to figure out the intricate workings of a toy helicopter; of the beautiful love between my sister and her new husband on their first Christmas together.

Family. Love. Safety. Joy. Delight. Home. The smell of winter is the smell of home.