A Scented Story
Guest Post from Brie in New York
What we owe to others is the best of ourselves
– Michael Perkins
In October of 2011 CaFleureBon hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness blog-a thon. Perfumers donated their fragrances to the cause while commenters donated money to the Libby Ross Foundation in order to be entered into various draws. On October 21, 2011 the draw offered was a customised aromatherapy consultation with Dawn Spencer Hurwitz, resulting in Dawn creating an organic perfume oil, body lotion, shea butter and massage oil for the lucky winner.
This is what the very first commenter named “Feliciag” wrote:
“If I were to win this very special gift I would like to give it away to my autistic daughter Leslie. She loves massages and asks to be spritzed with scents every day. It brings her much joy. Life is difficult for a young autistic girl! But I have found that scents have quite an effect on her. She is a sensory gal. I have been using scents to get her in touch with comfort and being comfortable being touched at all. She has come a long way with it. Just a few months ago if you pet her hair she would wince in pain and a meltdown would ensue. But we are working on it. She loves to fall asleep in mommy’s lap at bedtime. I love it too. It’s the closest I get to her while she is in a calm state and open to affection.
And then another commenter named “brigitte” wrote:
“I was very touched by what the first commenter wrote. I happen to work with severely autistic students. Every morning I spray my room with a mix of lavender essential oil and water which is a great way to relax and provide nice sensory input to them. Should I be so lucky to win this draw I would like to gift it to Feliciag’s daughter, if that is possible”
To which Feliciag responded:
“Brigitte you have moved me to tears. Thanks so much for that thoughtful and kind act. and thank you for all that you do working with our kids”
A few days later random.org chose the winner and it was “brigitte”. After a minor challenge in my attempt to indicate to CaFleureBon that I wanted this win to go to a perfect stranger, it was gifted to Leslie.
Leslie now refers to me as her “special friend” for I also made her a lavender cocoa massage oil which she asks her mommy to apply onto her belly every night. In return, she has handcrafted a necklace for me which hangs on my office wall at work. She loves sweet scents so I have given her a bottle of “Pink Sugar” which has become her signature scent.
Notes in Pink Sugar: bergamot, sicilian orange, raspberry, fig leaves, lily of the valley, licorice, strawberry, red fruit, cotton candy, vanilla, caramel, musk, wood, powder.
This is the power of fragrance, my friends – bringing together perfect strangers in the most unusual ways. Tonight I send out virtual hugs to the sweetest girl I ever met!
In tribute to Leslie I am offering up a sample of Aquolina’s Pink Sugar as well as a vial of the lavender cocoa massage oil I made specifically for her. Just leave a comment on any positive effects fragrance has made in your life.
Gift recipient announced April month end, mailed to wherever you are tonight in the Fragrant Universe.
Further reading
Drakkar Noir – are you responsible for this happy marriage?
Fantastic voyage through the fragrant stratosphere
Brie in Sydney
Brie in Vienna
Brie in New York
The Fragrant Man 
That’s a great story. I would have to say that one of the most positive effects fragrance has had on my life is “meeting” so many wonderful people like the ones in your story. Seriously, when I read the blogs sometimes I read things that restore my faith in humanity. It’s always amazing to me how people will take the time to decant and package up perfumes and send them to complete strangers often with no expectation of getting anything in return. They are always there to give a virtual hug and words of support and cheer too if needed.
Absolutely Poodle! (I am sending you a virtual hug right now 🙂 !!). I have had many a fragrant fairy send me wonderful packages of samples which further my fragrant journey…and with all that goes on on the world these days its nice to know that there are still individuals who truly give the best of themselves to others via random acts of kindness.
Wonderful story.
thank you, James.
My family is full of teachers, and I found myself following that track. My mother has worked with special needs students for years, so I know the special kind of person it takes to work with those students. (Hugs)
James,
It is nice to discover that we have yet more things in common :D!!
A big virtual hug right back to you!
Definitely Brie, So glad we connected via WordPress. More (hugs) for a good day. 🙂
Absolutely!! and I am eagerly awaiting your first perfume review for Jordan, our “Fragrant Man” 😀 !!
I look forward to that, too. I’m not sure the beard oil article that he asked if I wanted to write is going to work out though, as I’ve never really used it. We’ll see.
James- I think anything you write about perfume would be wonderful! It’s always refreshing to have a new perspective on fragrance, right?
This is such a great and inspiring story! Scents and smells do calm, soothe, energize and can take us back to a specific moment in time. Lavender is one of my absolute favorite scents. When I smell honeysuckle, I am a child in my backyard again. Lovely post, Brie!
was curious since we share the same name…love your blog!
Well, I LOVE my name so I of course, love your name. I didn’t realize this post was about you!! It’s rare you see Brigitte spelled the French way. So nice to meet you. I think this site is just beautiful. It always makes me feel good after looking at it or reading it, Brigitte. 🙂
I am sure that you face the challenges that I do with regard to how our name is both spelled and pronounced 🙂 !! Jordan has done a wonderful job with this site as our” fragrant man” and hopefully we will see you often!
btw, I am going to have lots of fun exploring your blog as well!
Brigitte,
I love lavender myself…a very calming and soothing essential oil…
thanks for stopping by!
Great piece. There are so many wonderful people in the world. I believe that most folk
are inherently good. Everyone has their load to carry. That is part of our earthly life. We all have stories to tell. This was really uplifting.
CQ xxx
Val-
I could not have said it better myself… I also feel that most individuals we encounter in our travels are inherently good…and there are those who truly work their magic and bring out the best in us….
That’s wonderful. This is the kindness that the world needs. Keep up the great work. 😀
Thanks Ann Marie!
Vanilla seems to be a scent that calms my household, but I think I’ll try lavender, too. I have three very active daughters, and sometimes, I’d like to create an atmosphere of serenity, for their sake, and mine! I love this post, Brie.
Thank you, coachdaddyblogger! (love your name,btw 🙂 !!)
I ADORE vanilla and it is indeed a calming scent…as is lavender! I have three as well (the last one a male) so there is much chaos in my house also (to say the least!!) My serenity is at four in the morning when everyone is still sleeping !
thanks for stopping by!
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Very touching Brie. I can only imagine how rewarding (and demanding) your job must be.
yes, Amer, and on the most challenging of days I really DO try to focus on the positive and small steps of progress!
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