Inspired by Edouard Manet (1832-1883) – White lilacs Lilas in a crystal vase (1882) – Pastel – 10,63 x 6,30 inch

A sweet memory of my childhood overwhelms me suddenly as I walk lazily in this path in the middle of nowhere.

What is it about exactly? Well yes, of course, a smell, a familiar smell that quietly returns. A delicate, passing, sweet perfume: white lilac. The tree is much higher than me and some flowers gently touch my bare shoulder. At the end of the day, with an emerging chill, the fragrance stands out stronger, more stubborn, more present. It was so hot today and this walk makes me feel like an icy shower that would awaken my five senses.

I dip my whole face into a cluster that is openly waiting for me. I totally get drunk and cannot let go of this subtle and innocent pleasure. I jump right in over and over again and my thoughts, my feelings go like crazy, anesthetized, devastated. For a few seconds that seem like an eternity, I revisit my childhood memories.

I stand up in a garden that one would call an English garden with a lot of wild grasses, flowers and plants in a perfect planned chaos. A woman of a certain age sits on a wrought-iron chair in front of a wrought-iron table. On a silver metal tray, takes pride of place a teapot in sterling silver and two bone china cups finely decorated with small flowers in shades of green, pink, yellow. With only 10 years old, I am seduced and petrified at the same time. I do not dare to move forward for fear of breaking the spell. The minutes pass by and I remain still, breathless.

Out of the blue, the woman with long white hair held by few pins turns her head and stares at me with her piercing blue eyes. All of a sudden, I’m petrified. Then the unthinkable impossible happens, she smiles and invites me to join her with an elegant gesture of the hand. Trembling, I sit on the empty chair. Immediately, she gets me a cup of tea and delicately places two fresh scones on a small plate. She brings homemade raspberry jam and whipped cream. I use it all awkwardly and after a few mouthfuls and sips I feel quite comfortable. Then we had a great chat on writing, painting? All these topics that will be part of my life much later.

As I lean my head backwards, I can see a white lilac …