One of my more special childhood memories involves a strange gift given to me by a family friend. It consisted of a wooden block about a foot long (though in those days, it seemed much larger in relation to my childish body). The block had been worn smooth from years of handling and had a comforting cedar smell to it.

Inset into the wooden block were glass vials, secured firmly into the wood so as not to be removed. The vials were approximately two inches long and closed off by a sturdy black plastic screw-top. Each vial held a thick, richly-colored liquid in every jewel tone imaginable. Purples, blues, corals, yellows and greens so intense, that they seemed other-worldly. The vials bore names which my 8-year old self had never heard of: jasmine, patchouli, ylang-ylang…

I held the block and looked at the bestower of this gift with a questioning glance, having no idea what to do with such an odd and yet exotic item. The response was simple: “Take it home and smell them”.

Upon returning home, I eagerly ran up to my bedroom and carefully unscrewed the first top with much eagerness and a little trepidation. What could be inside? Imbedded into each of the caps was what appeared to be a crystal wand.  With an almost religious sense of ceremony, I dipped this first wand into a magical nectar of scent, and was forever transported.

I understand today that the gift I received was essentially a mini scent organ filled with a variety of essential oils; however, to my eight-year old mind, I had just been given a portal into another world.