I got in the car today and was greeted by the most delightful scent of Juicy Fruit gum. I hadn’t smelled it in over 20 years, but it came back to me instantly. My mom chewed Juicy Fruit a lot. She always kept a pack in her purse. I didn’t realize it when I was very young, but she probably used it to cover smoker’s breath, since we weren’t supposed to know she smoked. Mom/Juicy Fruit are ever linked in my mind.
As I drove I thought about my mom, and about how great God is. That He would make my entire car smell like Juicy Fruit when there was not a gum chewer in sight seemed like a special gift from Him to me. And on my daughter’s birthday, I’d been thinking of mothers and daughters all day. Very nice. I kept the windows rolled up, because I wanted the smell to linger as long as possible.
When I pulled up to my destination I realized that the Juicy Fruit aroma was the exact combination of scents formed by the 3 bags of groceries I had left forgotten for hours in the car on a 96 degree day. Apparently strawberries, corn, hummus, Caesar salad and peaches can meld into this olfactory sensation.
As I drove I thought about my mom, and about how great God is. That He would make my entire car smell like Juicy Fruit when there was not a gum chewer in sight seemed like a special gift from Him to me. And on my daughter’s birthday, I’d been thinking of mothers and daughters all day. Very nice. I kept the windows rolled up, because I wanted the smell to linger as long as possible.
When I pulled up to my destination I realized that the Juicy Fruit aroma was the exact combination of scents formed by the 3 bags of groceries I had left forgotten for hours in the car on a 96 degree day. Apparently strawberries, corn, hummus, Caesar salad and peaches can meld into this olfactory sensation.
God IS still great. He DOES care enough about me to fill my car with a Juicy Fruit smell. And I’m STILL a dork.
At least I didn’t buy the fish.
Every time you put up another post, I feel so excited and immediately check it out! This was such a great one; it's amazing how scents can bring back a feeling/ memory. (I spritz on the perfume I wore on my wedding day whenever I need a lift!)
ReplyDeleteOh, and it was DEFINITELY good that you didn't buy the fish...
Lol, great post! Made me laugh, and that's a very welcome thing today.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't chewed juicy fruit for years when I got in the car with my husband one day and smelled that wonderful smell. (no, it wasn't groceries, he actually HAD Juicy fruit.)I've been chewing it ever since.
p.s. What's the association between juicy fruit and cars, do you think?
Mmm now I want some gum...but I want grape bubba hubba! Or hubba bubba? Or something like that anyway...so glad you had that experience - what a great post.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! But, you know, the Juicy Fruit is only like 25 cents, SO much cheaper than a whole bag of spoiled groceries. LOL
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered what the secret ingredient in Juicy Fruit is... hummus. Who'd of thunk it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post -- humor, the memory of your mom, the literal sense memory, the surprise ending. You really painted a vivid picture. (My "takes me back scent is Playdough. My kid's not allowed to play with it unless I get to sniff it at will.)
ReplyDeleteIsn't that amazing? I saw an old car just like the one my dad drove when I was younger just a few weeks ago on the anniversary of his death (know that sounds a bit morbid, but it's not a day I'll soon forget). I blogged about it, too. I did laugh about it being groceries, but I still think it's amazing. I mean you could have gotten the fish, and that would not have smelled like Juicy Fruit.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I love about you....
ReplyDeleteWhat could have been an angry, nothing-ever-goes-my-way response to the loss of a carload of groceries becomes a cause for celebration.
And even a praise to God for small miracles.
P.S- I have a little something for you on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://lovelifelists.blogspot.com/
have a good day!
You're a doll, you enjoyed the positive and laughed at yourself. I think I might have been a little grumpier about the groceries. But, really good point about the fish!
ReplyDeleteLMAO!!! Forgetting groceries in your car. Very funny.
ReplyDeleteI loaded all my groceries into someone's elses unlocked minivan before I realized that IT WAS NOT MY CAR!! No one saw me.
I love, LOVE juicy fruit gum! My mom kept it around lots too. I still buy it once in a while for nostalgia's sake.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this it made me laugh! I also love the smell of juicy fruit and that first bite gets me all the time!
ReplyDeleteBless your heart! Nothing like looking on the bright side. :-)
ReplyDeleteHow do you think credit crunch affected porn?
ReplyDeletepiracy affects porn but it's still winner during the crunch
ReplyDelete