“Scents bring memories, and many memories bring nostalgic pleasure. We would be wise to plan for this when we plant a garden” – Thalassa Cruso

I have these sensational transplanted peonies from my mother’s garden (my childhood home), and they have successfully travelled with me from house to house for many years. I look so forward to the brief time that they bloom every June.

I also have lilacs transplanted from my Great Grandparents farm and these lilacs have traveled along with the peonies! They are just about on their way out after adding such gorgeous colour to the yard over the last couple of weeks.

Both flowers are well-known for not just their beauty, but more often for their wonderful fragrance. Unfortunately, due to Parkinson’s, I have lost my sense of smell (go to Stop and See the Roses). Hyposmia is one of many unseen and often ignored early symptoms of PD.

Although smell loss/reduction can be of benefit when it comes to avoiding the unpleasantness of skunks, smoking, or sewage, I wholeheartedly miss the smell of the my lilacs and my peonies.

I continue to try, perhaps out of habit, to lean my nose into a bouquet…but I smell nothing except for the memories.