25.07.2024 Grieving SOTD

• Prep: head wash
• Razor: RazoRock Hawk V2
• Blade: KAI Captain Protouch MG
• Brush: AP Shave Co. Black & Clear w/ 30 mm Tuxedo Fan
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Valley of Ashes AS; moisturizer
• Fragrance: Lalique Encre Noire À L’Extrême EdP

---

2-pass head shave. Good shave but a slight burn from the software.

My grandmother died yesterday in the late evening. Around 21:00, my mother called me as my uncle had just returned from the nursing home to inform everyone. In an ironic twist of life, he actually wanted to call everyone from his family to let them know that her health is now rapidly deteriorating and if we want to visit her for a last time, we should do so now. However, shortly after he arrived at home the head nurse called him on his mobile phone and informed him that she passed away. To all of us, it’s as much a relief as it is a burden. Of course, she was either mother or grandmother to us and we hold her dearly in our hearts. On the other hand, her mental and physical state before her passing was atrocious and hard to witness. She stopped eating over a week ago. Could only drink in tiny little sips from a straw and later didn’t even had the strength for that. Tried to communicate with us, but couldn’t articulate anything anymore. I believe she wanted to tell us that we shouldn’t worry and that she wanted her life to end. The refusal of eating (and drinking) is somehow a last effort that people on the deathbed make to accelerate the process. Well, now it’s over and the memories of better days will stay with all of us…

Valley of Ashes is a grieving and somehow dark scent to me. The dark notes of leather, burnt rubber, smoke create this somber atmosphere. But there’s also a tiny spark of hope in form of something citrus-y, perhaps bergamot… I feel it fits my current mood best. Then there’s also Encre Noire À L’Extrême. Also for me personally, a scent for gloomy and dark days. Vetiver, patchouli and incense are the heavy notes here, so I’d argue it’s almost a funeral scent. There’s nothing really happy in it so it’s difficult to wear - but again, quite fitting.

Folks, do me a favour and enjoy your life. And don’t forget to visit your family members regularly - you never you much time you have left, or how much time is left with them… Make the most of it.