confusion

[NH watcher]

The old order is dying, and a new order ("new world order") beginning.  France and the French will be a catalyst to that change, as France has been for centuries.  French has long been considered a universal language, and is still (among the old guard) the "preferred" language of diplomacy worldwide.  As a young nation, it was very important for America to have France on her side, and present her credentials (our envoys at the time being Franklin and Jefferson).  Your mother is lamenting this change, and leading a project to memorialize the world which is dying, and will soon be forgotten otherwise.  Her speaking French perfectly, despite having never spoken French in her life, is not uncommon in the spiritual.  Betty Eadie, in her NDE, speaks of being able to understand all languages, and speak all languages, in that state.  And so what perhaps repulsed your mother with your acceptance of the perfume (and France being the longstanding purveyors of fashion and culture, perfume, etc.) is your willingness to accept this change in the world.  Your mother having been in love with a Frenchman is not literal, but represents what often happens in our youth: our breaking ties with long-established orders and find affection in the avant-garde, those things liberal and rebelling against our childhoods, our upbringings.  And then as we age, often do we become more conservative and remember with some fondness the traditions of our past.

Hope this helps.