I smell a memory...

I have always loved Autumn. It is by far my favorite time of the year. I don't know why but there is just something about brisk breezes, cold mornings under the covers, and the beautiful colors of creation that make my heart smile. I never would have thought that the smells of Fall could also be part of the reason I love it so much until this last week. Jason had been outside early that morning and it was cold so he had on his jacket and when he came in the house I caught a faint whiff of smoke on him from the firewood burning in the houses around us and the smell of the fresh cold air as it rushed in the door and instantly I had a memory of standing in his driveway as a teenager wrapped up in his coat and kissing him goodbye before heading home after a date. I didn't tell him because I knew he would laugh at me and he already thinks I am crazy but it really happened just that quick. I began to think about the Fall and the smells and the memories and I think I know why I love Fall so much. My best memories are always accociated with Fall.
Jason and I fell in love in the Fall. We met in the Summer but we fell in love in the Fall. That memory I had when he walked past me that day reminded me of that love I had for him then and the love I still have for him 20 years later. Those times standing outside in his yard under the stars, wrapped up in his coat with the faint smell of smoke and wishing I could stay there forever. I still love to wrap up in his coat and be close to him when he has been outside on a crisp Fall day but he would think I was crazy if I told him it was the smell of him covered in fresh air and smoke that made me like it so much.
The smell of the Lavender lotion that I use when the weather begins to dry out in the Fall reminds me of my babies. Lydia was born in October and I would wash her in Lavender baby wash and rub Emma in Lavender lotion and baby powder. Every time I put on that lotion I think of them all wrapped up in their little blankets tucked up in my arms after a bath and rocking them to sleep.
The smell of cinnamon and spice reminds me of my Mother making cider in the crockpot for us to drink after playing outside in the cold. I still make that cider and I don't really like to drink it anymore but I love to smell it cooking in my house because it reminds me of a Mother's love.
The smell of burning leaves (and yes out in the country people still do that) reminds me of my Dad raking outside all day and burning leaves. I always loved to stand out there and jump in the leaves and make trails through them to ride my bike on while my Dad laughed and tried his best to rake them back into piles.
The smell of  Cotton Candy always reminds me of the Dixie Classic Fair. We went every year when I was growing up and it was a big deal in my family. We even went on the night before my wedding ( which also took place in the Fall) and it brings back wonderful memories of laughter and fun with my family and friends. I hope my daughters have wonderful memories of the fair when they grow up as well. I still have to get cotton candy everytime we go just so I can smell it and remember tose happy childhood times.
I could go on and on about all of the smells of Fall that make me think happy thoughts but hopefully you are thinking of your own happy smell memories now.
After I had been thinking of all of this I was doing devotions and I was reading this verse
"The smoke of the incense, mixed with the prayers of God's holy people, ascended up to God from the altar where the angel had poured them out." Revelation 8:4  and the commentary was talking about how the incense in the tabernacle of God burned and filled it with the sweet smell and how that represented our prayers and how our prayers when lifted to God are like a sweet fragrant perfume to Him and it made me wonder if God remembers sweet things about us when he smells our prayers and if it makes His heart smile :)

"May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. "Psalm 141:2