FRAGRANCES

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Childhood memories conjure up all kinds of vignettes from one’s past. Some of us grew up in cities where we lived in tenements. In that day (1940s), they were known as “cold water flats” which meant there was no central heating and the hot water consisted of a 30 or 40 gallon tank with a gas coil connected to it alongside a coal stove. On “bath night” (whether or not one thought they needed it), the coil was lit and the heating of the water began. It was supplemented with pots of water being heated on the coal stove to supplement as the water needed warming. In very cold weather, a bath consisted of a circular galvanized tub brought into the kitchen near the coal and wood burning stove. When special times of the year arrived, there were anticipated fragrances as we sat in the kitchen to stay warm. There would be a Turkey roasting in the oven of the coal stove; baking of fresh pies; etc. We were poor in terms of material things but very rich in terms of these special occasions.

The neighborhood where we were reared had several individual businesses. One of them was a German Bakery where baked goods that we could ill-afford were baked. The obvious fragrances were present. A few blocks away, there was a Jewish Bakery where Rye and Pumpernickel Bread was regularly baked and delivered to area grocery stores. Those fragrances are memorable. There was a Jewish Delicatessen on the corner where we were reared. Across from it was an Italian Bakery where hard-crusted bread was baked daily; along with Soft Pretzels that people would buy, place in a lined Bushel Basket, put those Baskets into a Stroller Carriage and walk to where Movie Theaters and primary Subway Stations were located. One of our favorite moments was when we went down into the Pretzel Cellar where the pretzels were baked to see if there were any broken pretzels. For a nickel (5 cents), we would be sold a handful (more than we could carry) of the broken pieces.

Teenaged boys who sought to gain the attention of or make an impression upon a girl would purchase an inexpensive box with fragrances and powder called “Evening In Paris.” Some radio commercials would advertise products that were aimed at body hygiene care. For instance, Lifebuoy was the soap that was supposed to stop B.O. (body odor). Deodorants began to find their way into the ghetto culture. One of them was “MUM” and the commercial allowed that “MUMS the word” (some would add the words “keep it under your arm”). Awareness of bodily hygiene was also influenced by the Dick Tracy Comic Strip and one of the scraggily characters named B.O. Plenty. He would eventually get acquainted with Gravel Gertie (who lived outside of the city limits in a Gravel Pit) and they would live happily ever after.

The Bible references “Fragrance” in different contexts. In the Song of Solomon 4:11, the romantic words are: “Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue. The fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.” In the Prophet’s words of the Lord’s impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, Isaiah 3:24 records, “Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.” In a very personal and directive way, the Word of God expresses how a follower of Christ is, II Corinthians 2:14-16, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are to God the sweet aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one, we are an odor of death and demise; to the other, a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?” There are only two possibilities for the spiritual impression we can make on others. Either we are the sweet scent and fragrance of a fine perfume, or we are like rotting and decaying garbage or a dead body. Which one are you? Consider these things with me!