On her dressing table sat an array of beautiful crystal vessels. Each one contained a light golden liquid that, for some reason, brought a smile to her face. I watched, in fascination, as my mother stood quietly before her collection, and contemplated which she would wear for the day.

When she made her decision, she removed the delicate cap; and carefully began to sweep the contents in two easy strokes on both sides of her neck. She would always end her session by dabbing the tiny valve on to one wrist and then gently rubbing the two together. Adoringly, I watched my mother as she asked, "Would you like to wear some?" As always, I would anxiously respond to her, "Yes, I would!" She would then anoint the special spot behind my ear with the pleasant, delicate scent that I have grown to know as Chanel No. 5.

At the budding age of 7, something within me began to realize the beauty behind the feminine aura...lovely, delicate; and yet, so powerful. My mother had this power. I watched, as she, with her gentle and quiet spirit, convinced my father to participate in things that he wouldn't do for any other person on this earth. Like many women born in the 1940's, she made no excuses for being a lady. She was a well-cultured, blue-blooded Methodist that taught her daughters how to take the beautiful qualities that God had given you, and to make life happen. In my wallet, I carry a photograph of my mother when she was 17. In the photo, she stands in a lovely off-the-shoulder dress. Every time I admire the picture, I say to myself, "I can understand why my father loved her so." The photo evokes thoughts of innocence and a true essence of womanhood. As I glance over the photo, I think back to my parent's courtship and I often ask myself, "Did she wear Chanel No. 5? Did her scent capture my father's heart?"

Like many young girls, I found my mother's closet and dressing table a source of self-discovery and inspiration. I would spend hours exploring her collection of jewelry, lovely floral dresses, handbags and shoes. Though she would permit me to play dress-up with the items in her closet, the area that had its boundary was the location of the lovely perfume bottles...especially her coveted Chanel No. 5. The perfume was created in 1921 when Mademoiselle Coco Chanel, commissioned Ernest Beaux to, "Create a woman's perfume with the scent of woman." No. 5 became the number one selling perfume in the world and is what made Coco a millionaire.

I have long since taken my rightful position into womanhood, and I too, have grown to love the graceful scent of my mother's past. With every spritz of my own precious bottle of No. 5 (a gift from my husband), comes the decision of when to dawn its powerful allure...private evenings with my husband, for special occasions, a night out on the town; or perhaps when I feel especially in touch with my feminine prowess. Whatever the occasion, I know that I'll feel exactly the way Coco did when No. 5 touched her bank account...like a million dollars. (Wink)