As a little girl I remember, with distinction, the way it felt walking into Aunt Bobbies house. Visits to her house were frequent, rarely scheduled, and always pleasant. Aunt Bobbie had a front door, a sliding glass "back" door that went to her patio, and a door located in the garage that entered her laundry room. I'm pretty sure THIS door was the one most often used by the countless people who dropped by Aunt Bobbies house in the same casual fashion that I did. The handle on the door felt familiar, the first glance through the door's window revealed an always tidy laundry room. The sounds beyond the closed door were those of LIFE! Lots of people talking, more of them laughing & the comforting, chaotic sound of something delicious happening in the kitchen!! At the threshold of the door, just as it would swing open toward those happy sounds inside - I was always delighted with "the smell" of Aunt Bobbies house. Pressed to describe the scent, I would fail miserably. Candles weren't in vogue during those days and Scentsy hadn't even been invented - so the aroma was far and away from "warm vanilla spice" or "3 Wild Berry Breeze". The scent was subtle, unique, and something I miss terribly since she has been gone. I found a great sense of security walking into that house where I knew I was always welcome and always loved beyond measure and where it smelled like....well, Aunt Bobbies house.
Yesterday my own front door swung open wide to welcome a bright, energetic, beautiful little Miss who giggled wildly at the raucous greeting she received from Toby and Henry. (two dogs who think they run the place.) As she walked through the entry hall and into the messy living room, she breathed deeply and took a little ballet esque turn. With a smile on her face she said "Oh! It smells like your house". Ever concerned that the "greeting committee" have created a subtle dog like odor in the house, (YUCK) I said "Oh, honey. Does it smell like dog?"
Still twirling, she said "Oh, no! Aunti Carol! It smells......." and then she was at a loss for words. She stopped moving. Breathed in again and confirmed: "it smells really good here. I like it". She then continued to bounce around the house chattering about a gazillion happy things.
I can almost SMELL the gazillion happy things that are in my heart.
