The Fragrance That Helped Me During The Cremation Of An Old Friend – Maria Candida Gentile Exultat
Not too long ago I attended the ceremony before the cremation of an old friend and colleague. We had shared very good and really bad times together. My friend and I were the same age of fifty which made his death extra confronting and painful.
When you turn fifty and look at your life not all of us are where we had dreamed we would be. It can be disappointing. I know from personal experience although life has given me very unexpected gifts. In his life my friend had chosen to follow a bumpy uneven and at times difficult path to walk.
While dressing for the cremation it felt a bit frivolous to think about what scent to wear. I did not feel like wearing a fragrance. My lost friend was not interested in scent and I did not want to impose my fragrance on other people. But as perfume is not only an adornment to me, I decided to wear a calming, quiet and serene scent, Maria Candida Gentile Exultat. There was not a church mass but it felt like the right scent to wear due to its connection with the Church of San Lorenzo in Rome. A visit to the Church of San Lorenzo during the hour of vespers inspired Maria Candida Gentile to create Exultat according to the official website.
Incense plays an important part in Exultat. As incense is used in mass to purify and sanctify, it felt like the right thing to wear. The combination of violet, woods and frankincense makes it both a spiritual and calming scent. It helps you stay in the moment and close to yourself. Scent can help us a little in coping with difficult times and Exultat helped me a bit on that particular day because of it’s calming qualities.
Losing a loved one can be devastating I know from experience as I have lost my mother not very long ago. I can only imagine what it must feel like for his family and other loved ones he has left behind. He and his laugh stay with us in our memory.
(Notes: Top Note: Frankincense, Orange, Bitter Orange, Lime
Heart Note: Violet, Violet Leaves Base Note: Woods, Vetiver, Texas Cedar wood)
A beautiful In Memoriam was written in Dutch by Peter Mabelus.
July 9, 2017 @ 23:01
So sorry for your loss my dear.
July 10, 2017 @ 07:35
Thank you dear S.
July 21, 2017 @ 08:52
Thank you, dear S.
July 10, 2017 @ 06:29
I’m sorry for your loss. Friends stay with us – in music, movies, jokes, scents…
July 10, 2017 @ 07:36
Thank you Undina, he will stay with us with his jokes and laugh.
July 10, 2017 @ 08:42
I am too born in 1966…..it is far too young. I’m so sorry for your friend’s passing.
July 10, 2017 @ 12:25
Thank you, Saffy, 50 is too young to die.
July 21, 2017 @ 08:52
Thank you, it is far too young and very sad.