Music, Aromas and Memories

I heard a song on the radio recently and it instantly triggered a memory from a certain time in my teenage years. The memory was vivid and real and full of emotions. I'm sure you have experienced the same thing at some point in your life. You hear a love song and a memory awakens when you were slow dancing with someone special. You feel the music, the touch, the warm feelings. Or you hear another song and your memory recalls a car ride to a special destination. You can still see the view out the window as if it was yesterday and you feel the excitement of the trip. The same thing happened recently when I smelled a certain aroma that triggered a memory from a happy time in my youth. This aroma was from of a certain kind of pie that reminded me of thanksgiving when I was a kid. I don’t even like that kind of pie but the warm feeling of sitting down with family and having a huge dinner hit me like a flash.

What is it with music and aromas that can trigger the memory to certain events? And it generally tends to be memories from our youth. Those early years up through the teens. Music and aromas do not seem to trigger memories as often from my 20’s or later. I haven’t figured that out yet. Is it because we are more impressionable in our developmental years and therefore memories are tied more to sounds and smells than they are later in life? It’s hard to say but I do know that I enjoy reliving those triggered memories and emotions. It brings back a sense of nostalgia or a longing for when life seemed easier and more carefree. Oh, to be transported back in time if just for a moment is a glorious feeling.