Childhood Quote by Deborah Lawrenson
““I still dream in pictures and color, always the world of my childhood. I see the purple Judas trees at Easter lighting up the roadsides and terraces of the town. Ochre cliffs made of cinnamon powder. Autumn clouds rolling along the ground of the hills, and the patchwork of wet oak leaves on the grass. The shape of a rose petal. And my parents' faces, which will never grow any older. "But it is strange how scent brings it all back too. I only have to smell certain aromas, and I am back in a certain place with a certain feeling." The comforting past smelled of heliotrope and cherry and sweet almond biscuits: close-up smells, flowers you had to put your nose to as the sight faded from your eyes. The scents of that childhood past had already begun to slip away: Maman's apron with blotches of game stew; linen pressed with faded lavender; the sheep in the barn. The present, or what had so very recently been the present, was orange blossom infused with hope.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Year of the Flood by Deborah Lawrenson, 2021
Memory is triggered by vivid sensory details, especially scent, which can instantly transport us back to past moments and emotions.
In simple terms: Smells can instantly bring back vivid memories.
Key Takeaway
Use scent to reconnect with cherished memories.
Themes
memory
nostalgia
sensory
emotion
childhood
Mood
reflective
bittersweet
warm
Type
literary
personal
reflective
When to use this quote
- revisiting childhood home
- cooking family recipes
- walking through old neighborhoods
- using aromatherapy for mood
- writing memoirs
Key Concepts
episodic memory
olfactory cue
emotional resonance
Questions to Reflect On
- What scent most vividly recalls a forgotten moment?
- How can you balance nostalgia with present focus?
A Different Perspective
Sensory recollection may idealize the past, overlooking present realities.
