Ivory Memories

“Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.” – Diane Ackerman

One doesn’t get into a steamy morning shower half-eyed expecting to reminisce of childhood moments, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Nothing about my morning routine is particularly exciting. I wake up, weigh in, check some of my favorite sites on the internet, start the shower and step in hoping the spray of water on my face will awaken me from my normal somber morning mood. What I didn’t anticipate this morning was that this shower would also awaken a childhood memory that I had almost forgotten, locked away in my head.

I like to keep several bath gels and soaps in the shower in a variety of scents to match my different moods; today I decided to try a newly purchased one, Simply Ivory Body Wash. As soon as the fragrance of the Ivory soap hit my nose, I was immediately transformed to another time and place. Images of a blue bathtub and 1970’s blue and green wallpaper filled my head. The bathroom floor was carpeted and my Great Grandmother, Grandma Sis, was knelt down next to my little suds covered body in the bathtub. I was visiting my grandparents in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri and it was bath time. At first I was confused about the incoming memory thinking, “Why am I remembering this now?” But, then it came and I soon knew why this frozen moment in time occupied my mind during this morning’s shower. It was the scent of the Ivory soap.

My Grandma Sis has many special talents, but when I was a child, I remember that this one fascinated me the most. After vigorously rubbing a bar of Ivory soap with her wet hands, she would then use the suds to blow bubbles for me while giving me a bath. Bending her index finger in the space between it and her thumb, she’d slowly uncurl it to reveal a thin translucent film in the newly formed circle between the tips of her index finger and her thumb. She’d purse her lips, blow into the soapy film, and, to my childish amazement, would create large bubbles in the palm of her hand. Sometimes they’d float away and sometimes they would just sit there shining in her palm. I guess as a child and not knowing that bubbles could be made with anything other than the gooey solution in the tall colorful bottles made my Great-Grandmother’s talent magical.

Born in 1913, Grandma Sis will turn 96 this year, and from what I’ve learned about her time with us, she has lived a full and fascinating life. I have so many great memories of her – making apple Santa’s, watching Wheel of Fortune (her favorite game show), exploring remnants of old polyester fabrics in the spare room of her old house, baking her famous dinner rolls, hearing her say “Bop on the Beezer” – but what I hadn’t realized until today, was that I also have some pretty wonderful hidden memories of her as well.

I know there is a connection between olfaction and memory and this isn’t the first time I’ve experienced a scent-triggered recollection. It is, however, the first time it has ever helped me remember something I had almost forgotten. Who would’ve thought that something as routine as a morning shower would give me such a warm and fuzzy moment? Thanks to Grandma Sis and a Proctor and Gamble trademarked scent, I’ll always have Ivory memories.

~Sarah E. Rose~

Giving Back

“But just as you excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us— see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” 2 Corinthians 8:7

Sarah's dad and stepmother regularly volunteer at the local Soup Kitchen once a month— the first Thursday of the month. Since we were both off of work today for the holiday, we decided to join them along with our Monday night Bible study group to give back to the community by serving the patrons of the Bristol Soup Kitchen. Although the snowy holiday did not give us the turnout the Soup Kitchen normally experiences, we were still overjoyed to serve those who came. Our feast consisted of ham, turkey, dressing, gravy, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, creamed spinach, corn, and a variety of scrumptious desserts. It might have been a cold winter day, but we still had a great time preparing the meal and visiting with everyone.