Back in my parents home, we always had what we needed and the most important thing was that they were enough.

My dad was no Adnan Khashoggi and I am not going to paint a picture of any silver spoon.

Our home was a respectable middle class Nigerian Lecturer’s home where the basic things were provided and on special occasions, such as birthdays a communal party was organized for the celebrant with other children within the neighbourhood.

In my family back in those days, we had no idea that we could ask for presents or the likes. We just did not have the mentality of such entitlement or expectation that exists today.

So, as a result, the presents you received on your birthday tended to be something more practical that you had need for and during Christmas your presents were based on what was currently in vogue for children: a doll, books, football, a mouth organ, an accordion, a flute etc.

We were contented. Like my mother always said, ”you don’t miss what you never had.”

I missed nothing because I had everything that mattered.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

In response to The Daily Post prompt Out of your reach

Was there a toy or thing you always wanted as a child, during the holidays or on your birthday, but never received? Tell us about it.