Snoofing
One of my aunts doesn't have a sense of smell. I can't remember if she lost it in some sickness or if she was born that way. It doesn't seem like one of those things that would come up in everyday conversation a lot, but whenever she was at our house when I was young, I found myself repeatedly and irresistably drawn to the delicate subject: "Mmmm, look at those beautiful lilacs; don't you just love the . . . smell . . . of . . . sorry." (I was infected with a similar conversational magnetism, regarding sounds, whenever my deaf cousin visited. What an awkward child I must have been.)Anyway, smell. It's not the worst sense to lose, perhaps. Perhaps you think in a household of three little boys it's no serious loss at all. But Sam has lost his, and it definitely has its drawbacks. For one thing I can't have him smell things in the fridge for me to see if they've gone bad (one of his former Household Duties). His mom suggested that Sam should hereafter have to change all messy diapers, which is a good idea, but since he doesn't smell them he also doesn't feel any URGENCY about them. Likewise about taking out smelly garbage bags. He says he sometimes senses "a change in the air" if some smell is particularly strong, but that's not a real catalyst for action, if you know what I mean.
And I also feel bad for him, not being able to smell the GOOD smells---and there are LOTS of good smells around here, mostly of things baking, yum.
And in only slightly related news, Daisy likes to wrinkle up her nose and snoof at us. Whereupon we all snoof energetically back. It's quite a sight. You ought to see it. (If you can see, that is. If not, please forgive my indelicacy.)
I miss you.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lady in my old ward who lost her sense of smell in a car accident. Does it not totally take the joy out of eating...anything? That's what I've been wondering.
ReplyDeleteAnd your twix recipe looks so yummy. I love the excuse of celebrating someone's birthday in their absence.
Wait, has he lost his sense of smell PERMANENTLY? Because, if so, I think we should have a wake. Perhaps a potluck of our best-smelling dishes? (I'm not indelicate; I'm perverse.)
ReplyDeleteChelsea: I don't know if it's permanently; we hope not! But it's been gone for a year or more, due to the whooping cough medicine perhaps? But anyway, a wake is a wonderful idea. Good thinking. :)
ReplyDeleteOh no, I want Sam's smell to come back. It's more important than we think. I mean, how else would you know there was a dead rotting mouse in your house? Or that your trash was going to start growing legs and walking around? Or like you say, that a diaper change is urgent?
ReplyDeleteAnd how would you know about the yummy stuff? Warm bread and cookies and crisp apples and etc. etc.
It'll come back. It has to!
And Daisy is aDORable.
Snoofing is one of the most effective communication skills you can share with a small person. Gin did it, and that's where I learned it.
ReplyDeleteI can see that Sam's disconnected schnoz is a mixed blessing - but how sad not to smell apples in the oven in autumn - or smoke in the night.