I've been told by many that newborns bond with their mothers through smell. And not just any smell, her smell. Yes, they also recognize the voice and know her touch, but the smell...the smell takes them back to where it all began.
My mom use to tell me a story from when she was growing up, and how she use to miss her mother after being gone for weeks at a time visiting relatives, and run into her arms and take a big sniff and melt into her arms as the smell of her familiar Momma would make her relax.
I remember growing up, I had a really rough day at school, and my mom was the school secretary, and I would fake headaches to get sent to the office just so she would hug me and take me in her arms. Thinking back now, I'm pretty sure it was the smell and comfort it brought me.
Emily spent all weekend at her grandparents and was gone for 3 days. When she got home Sunday evening, she curled up in my arms and grabbed my arm and SNIFFED. Then she looked at me and said, "Mommy, I missed you so much."
What is the smell that we seek? A hormone? A scent of home? A lotion? A detergent? A smell of food? A perfume? A smell only a Mom can emit? What is the smell?
I don't know what it is, but if it brings my baby home and into my arms and brings any ounce of comfort to her, then I'll stink of whatever smell she needs! :o)
XOXO
Monday, January 31, 2011
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1 comment:
I can't honestly say I've ever conciously smelled my mother. LOL And I can't say I've noticed my kids sniffing me either, but that's not to say it doesn't happen. Maybe I'm just not very aware of it. I know some people are more sensitive to scents and those are the people that probably connect more with it. I think it's neat you have memories of doing it, and have noticed Emily doing it.
The only thing I could really say about any of my kids is that Connor is obsessed with my hair. He constantly wants to touch it, wrap his hands into it, rub it against his face, etc.
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