As Women’s History Month comes to
a close we’ve had the awesome opportunity to learn about so many dynamic and
accomplished women. From education, medicine, engineering, and
entrepreneurship; fashion, art, mathematics, to the moon and back, women have
been an integral and creative part of our country’s development.
Recently, while clearing away
some things in my old bedroom, I ran across a bottle of perfume; Caleche by
Hermes. For my 40th birthday, I indulged myself and purchased a bottle
at a Duty Free shop. The scent is heavenly and works so well with my body
chemistry. It became my go-to perfume for a swanky event or special date. This
newly re-discovered bottle still had perfume in it. Now I remembered why, the
spray didn’t work. It didn’t matter what I tried; it would not spray.
Smelling that scent once again
sent me on a manhunt to purchase another bottle. Well 20+ years later at $404
dollars from the Hermes website I realized that the bottle on hand was worth
another attempt to open it. Other fragrance websites carried it but it was
still out of my price range. I finally found it at a company that sells
original fragrances in small travel-sized spray bottles. WOO HOO, Caleche is
once again wafting through the air!
This experience made me stop and
think about how I came to love fragrances and the joy of being a girly girl.
Catherine Maxine Mickey Johnson is solely responsible. My mother was the most
feminine woman I know. Not in a “bat your eyes,” act helpless, flirty,
superficial way. Rather she was feminine just as God had made her. Momma grew
up having to work hard. She was forced to provide for herself at fifteen and
there was no looking back.
Through all life’s challenges,
Momma was beautiful. Yes, she was a beautiful woman to look at, but she never
believed it herself. Women from her era were always dressed as best as they
could afford. My next-door neighbor was a domestic worker, but you would never
know it because regardless of the day, she was always in heels and a beautiful dress.
It was just a sign of the times; women were proud and they carried themselves that way. That was Momma.
Her nails and toes were always
manicured and polished. No, we were not mani-pedi salon people. Momma took such
good care of her hands and feet; her skin was like velvet. She was a scrub the
walls and baseboards kind of woman. Yet, she was always feminine. The way she
dressed, not in the latest or expensive fashions, but always neat, clean, and
pressed. I never saw her in pants until I was almost grown, and she never owned
a pair of jeans. Her fingernails were always long (naturally) and polished; her
hair (long and thick) was always done (she did it herself), lipstick was a
given and perfume a must. Memories of Chanel No. 5, Emeraude, Boucheron, and
White Diamonds…I can smell them now.
We were poor growing up, but
Momma always stressed how important it was to always look your best. She showed
us by example. She would teach us that, right or wrong, people will judge you
and treat you by the way you carry yourself so carry yourself with distinction.
That no one will know how ignorant you are until you open your mouth and prove
it. Finally, she taught us to respect ourselves whether the world respects us
or not. Catherine Maxine Mickey Johnson, despite all that you did not have, you
were a consummate feminine woman. Your actions were always true to who you
were.
I dedicate this Women's History Month to you Momma. Thank you for teaching me by
example how to be feminine, not putting on airs, but rather being . I thank God
for making me a woman who is not afraid to be feminine and powerful. To smell
good while leading, preaching, and teaching.
Momma, this spritz of Caleche is
for you.
