Fresh-cut grass. I smelled the sweet summer fragrance of fresh-cut grass as I was leaving work today. The smell always takes me away to being a kid and dad or mom pushing the mower and the clippings stuck to my damp feet as dusk swept the sun away and the air grew cooler. The ice cream man would come. Bed time would come. I would fall asleep to the sounds of my parents' TV programs rolling in anothe room.
I love that smell.
Today it made me think of how good all the ordinary things are. Last week we celebrated dad's 70th birthday. Yesterday, we celebrated mom's 68th. Their three grandkids were there to share the fun and keep the celebrations moving and to make us all laugh out loud. This week the three kids spent their last two days of summer vacation boating on Lake Lillinonah with my folks, exploring the shoreline, taking turns at the wheel, and doing what they do. Back at home, they swam together and mucked around in the stream out back. They watched TV and hung out in my parents' cellar where there are old toys, a white board, and who knows what.
I love that smell.
Today it made me think of how nice it is Adella's school is just a few miles away and full of people she has come to know well over the years. Her move up to middle school was a non-event, it was so easy. She is actually enjoying the fun of growing up.
I love that smell of cut grass that I smelled in Waterbury in front of the school where I work where there are some really lovely kids. Tough urban kids who busted my chops last year when I was a new teacher but who now look for me in the morning for a warm hello or a spare notebook or something to read. Kids who are willing to stay after school to do origami with me. Kids who are honest and real and very much in the moment. Kids who have the basic good sense to know how good and important it is to be loved and respected. Kids who look for love and respect.
The smell of cut grass recalls for me innocence and fun and being safe and young. I grew up safe and happy, thanks to my folks. My daughter is growing up safe and happy, thanks in large part to my folks. The kids at my school--I hope they smelled that cut grass, too. Every kid should know the joy.
19 Comments
Ahhh yes. Some of my fondest memories of childhood are outside. I still can't get enough of it.
ReplyDeletetoday i experienced something similar while smelling wild grapes growing, reminded me of my grandathers grape arbor... It is funny how certain memories and thoughts are brought to life by certain smells and sights! Lovely post my dear Friend!
ReplyDeletefunny how we take small things for granted and how they really signify bigger concepts. a lovely post. your school kids are blessed to have you as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteThis post filled me with undeniable JOY, Sandy!
ReplyDeleteI heard me parents TV as I fell asleep reading it.
You are an angel......Bless You!
Aloha-
Comfort Spiral
Beautiful text, Sandy. I have the same feelings listening to some songs and musics too: they bring me to the childhood when, as you nicely say, the ice cream man would come. Bed time would come. I would fall asleep to the sounds of my parents' TV programs rolling in another room.
ReplyDeleteYes..... what is it about the smell of grass that can take you back to the time you could hardly remember? It is amazing how the smell of it can transport us back such a long way in time.
ReplyDeleteIt never fails.
Great as usual!How have u been.I've blogged a new poem after a ong time.Pls drop by n let me know.
ReplyDeleteYes - freshly mown grass, and washing dried out in the sunshine and wind.
ReplyDeleteAnd the incredible freshness of the air after a Summer rainshower.... luckily I still experience all three.
What a beatiful post, a happy reminder of what really matters.
Care and huggles, Michelle and Zebbycat
I hope you have a wonderful yer at school this year! I miss getting ready for my class each year. May your new teaching year be fruitful and a joy to remember.
ReplyDeleteSandy: The smell is great but the work to get the smell isn't. I remember when we had a push mower with the spinning blades to cut the grass.
ReplyDeleteSo many memories tied to that smell too. What a heavenly,unforgettable fragrance.
ReplyDeleteYou sound like the perfect family Sandy...lucky! Very lucky....
Hugs and Happy long weekend, G
I love the smell of freshly-cut grass too! So many wonderful memories in held in that smell! Just yesterday, my hubby cut our grass and I did the edging. It will be fall soon. . .
ReplyDeleteSensory memories are the most overwhelming; smell most of all.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week.
I love that smell too. I have great associations with it, back from my childhood in the South. In the Southwest, I don't smell it that often, but when I do, it brings so much back.
ReplyDeleteThe way you've let your narrative open from that one smell to all it evokes, blessings, past and present, is rather Proustian, no?
I really enjoyed the trip back into my childhood. Very insightful entry. Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteSmell of cut-grass!!!
ReplyDeleteI Love that smell too...Great post!
I think of all of the posts that I have read which you have written this might be my favorite. Very powerful imagery...emotion
ReplyDelete...memories. Thank you for sharing this with us.
It was rather interesting for me to read the post. Thanx for it. I like such topics and everything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more on that blog soon.
ReplyDeleteDon't stop posting such themes. I like to read stories like that. Just add more pics :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for being here.