I am one of those persons who appreciate gifts whether small or big as long as it is given with a good intention and from a genuine heart. I love gifts so much and when I am being given, I try to reciprocate too in my little way.
When I saw this #STB prompt, my mind kept thinking of a gift I have received to relate with it and here is one of the best I received from my dear big sister some months ago, precisely in March, this year.
It filled my joy to know that there is someone who has come to believe in what I do and is ready to support my journey to becoming better. My sister never for once supported my writing journey on the Hive platform in the past. She would always say it was fake and that I needed to find a recognised company where I could write and get paid hugely for it.
I have made her understand where she was getting it wrong too even though she was right at one point, she never took the time to listen to my side knowing that Web 3 is taking over. Whenever I pleaded with her to get me some nice pictures taken at her location, she would refuse saying I still didn't know what I wanted for my life.
When she saw how committed I had been, not listening to whatever she said and not being a burden to her and the others, she stopped criticising me. She started believing in what I was doing and would always send me original photos, one she took by herself so I could use them for my blog. I felt so happy. I was excited that finally, someone had supported my love for what I do.
She gifted me that mug which she also got as a gift from one of our uncles who worked in Ericsson — one of the biggest companies in Lagos. She got a scholarship for her Masters in Germany and I decided to travel down to Lagos city to see her off at the airport. After every package to be taken with her, dashing out some of her items to friends and neighbours, she handed the little beautiful mug which came with the flat tray and a small tin of Nescafe powder.
It was even surprising how she thought of giving me those two gifts separately from the others she had packed for me.
It wasn't the gifts that wowed me much but the words she said with them. She said, "I know you love writing and there is nothing I can say again to make you change your mind. I believe you love having coffee too. You can use this cup to make your coffee to keep you active for the day. All the best to you."
Hearing those words, I felt emotional, smiled and thanked her. If only she could open my heart to see how much I got excited by those words, I was extremely grateful for the gifts and what she said.
When I got home, I decided to make a coffee with the mug and funny enough, I don't use it to drink water but to make either coffee or herbal green tea which I have also come to enjoy taking alongside coffee as the benefits are great for my health.
I tend to value this cup so much that I make sure nothing happens to it. I am more careful in handling it and when someone comes around and needs to give him or her a drink, I use something different and not my precious gift from my sister.
