Who knew that the smell of a napkin would elicit so many memories of carefree days? I can understand the smell of coffee to wake me up in the morning. Or, the smell of brisket on a barbecue pit slowly basking over a bed of coals that tantalizes my taste buds. But, the smell of a paper napkin whisked me away to a place that had been tucked away for some time.
The other day, Dianne and I were at Peter’s BBQ in Ellinger to enjoy some fantastic barbeque brisket and sides with a cold cup of iced, sweet tea. After prayers being said, Dianne tore open the plastic pack of “silverware” with the little packets of salt and pepper and the neatly folded napkin. As she unfolded the napkin, she handed me the napkin and asked, “What does this remind you of?”
The memories came flooding back and I immediately said, “Mentz feast”. The smell of the salt and pepper permeated the paper napkin and, I remember as a youngster, the times I would go to the annual feast put on by the little Catholic church in Mentz.
I would open up that pack and smell the napkin before I dove in to some mighty tasting barbecue and tea, replete with mounds of homemade goodness of side dishes made by mommas and grand mommas with love in their hearts.
Daddy would be at the pits the day before and would spend the night there, tending the wood and coals. After a sitdown meal at massive concrete benches and tables under a wooden canopy (now replaced with a metal one), I would go about my “job” of picking up soda and beer bottles.
I could get 10 cents per case when I turned them into the concession stand. I would sometimes stand near a bunch of guys drinking beer just waiting for them to take the last swallow so I could snatch it out of their hands and add it to my collection. If I worked hard enough, I could easily earn me a soda and candy bar.
It was an exciting time. The church grounds were filled with people, the band was playing in the old hall and there were endless games and play time with friends.
Why do I go to these now and eat my meal and go home? Why do I use my napkin just to wipe my face and not inhale the memories of days past? After all is said and done with this pandemic, will there be napkins to smell or even feasts and picnics to go to where we can sit amongst friends and family and while away the time under a giant canopy out in the open?
Yes, says the Lord.
This is but a season in time and the prophecies, although being fulfilled, may not be fully realized just yet. So, the next time I sit down at a feast or picnic, the first thing I am going to do is tear open that packet and give it a big whiff. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...”
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August 19, 2020 at 04:39AM
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Ah, the smell of a napkin - Colorado County Citizen
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