Smelly Kid

They say that our sense of smell is the best memory trigger. I have found this to be true for at least one recollection I have from my second year on earth. As I was often want to do, I had wandered away from home and around the corner to the neighbor's house where there was a small fishpond in the back yard. It was late in the fall and cold, and the pond had become quite scummy. Even so, several goldfish still swimming around fascinated me, and as I leaned my bundled-up body over to get a better look, I lost my balance and fell in mitten-hands first. Fortunately, the pond wasn't very deep, and I was able to crawl back out to dry grass. I recall debating at the time whether to go back to the warmth of my home and face the consequences of having wandered off and soiling my clothes, or continue on freezing and stinking in my hapless adventure. I chose home, and it wasn't so bad. But, to this day I remember the swampy smell. There are other olfactory memories I have from my past, and I will tell some of those tales as my personal history progresses.