Getting a gift can be so mesmerizing and pleasing because of many things, such as the intention behind the gift, who's giving it to us, the impact such a gift will have on our lives, and many more, to mention but a few, and it's always a thing of joy when we're gifted something because it indicates that we're loved, cherished, and appreciated by those around us. I've been privileged to get a bunch of gifts from my loved ones, and each gift is usually dear to my heart, but when talking about one of those gifts that's so memorable to me, then you'll have to journey with me back to six years ago.
I understand some people's love language is relating to receiving gifts, and then they go on to love and cherish it when gifted things, but regardless of what your love language is, we all still find gifts intriguing and are grateful for receiving them, just like me, whose love language is something entirely different. I must say that when gifted, I'm more attracted to the heart and mindset behind that gift than the value of the items I'm given, and that's why one of my most memorable gifts is more like a simple act, and without further ado, let's dive into what it's, who gave it to me, why, and the impact it had on me.
So about six to seven years ago, I was still in the northern part of Nigeria, but still working as a teacher in an elementary school, and during one of those days I fell ill for about two weeks and couldn't go to work. It was a difficult phrase in my life because that was probably the first time in many years I became so sick and had to visit the hospital for treatment, but along the line, while I was still receiving treatment at the hospital, I was graced by an unexpected visitor who came bearing a gift that was literally mesmerizing.
So in my hospital ward came in one of my colleagues at the school alongside some of my students, who I happen to be their class teacher. He once told me of how worried they're about my health and has insisted on following him when next he plans on paying me a visit at the hospital. Seeing their faces light up my mood, I greeted them, and after sharing pleasantries for some time, one of them dipped her hands into her bag and brought out a gift the entire class wanted to give me.
At first, when they said they'd got a gift for me. I was like, What could these kids possibly have for me? But then, when they brought out the gift, I was just overwhelmed with emotions. The gift was just a drawing made by the entire class on cardboard, and on it was the word "Get well soon, Mr. Apolayan," boldly written with multiple colors of crayon, and alongside that was also a cash gift of 230 naira, which they told me each of them contributed 10 naira each from their food allowance.
Both the money and the drawing catch my attention, but because of the mindset behind them. I'm sure they must have missed me and probably felt bad that there's nothing they can do to help, and so they came up with that idea of a gift for me, and everything about that gift just lit up my mood, and I guess it's probably one reason why my body responded to treatment well enough thereafter and I was discharged in the same week.
Looking at the piece of drawing, despite the fact that they spelled my name, I can help but laugh and still not blame them, because there's no letter F in the Hausa alphabet, and that's probably why they wrote Apolayan instead of Afolayan, but then I cherished it, knowing that this student cared for me and wished me well just filled my soul with joy.
Even the money, although the 230 naira they contributed was barely up to 20 cents, but I know the sacrifices they all made to gift me that amount, because it's meant to be for them to buy snacks during break time in school. All in all, I was just moved by their act and gift and even held on to the drawing when moving back to the west, and had I not left it at my parents place, I would have shared a picture of it now.
That was by far my most memorable gift I ever received, and I'm always filled with joy each time I remember that very moment, knowing how loving children can be and the sacrifices they can make when someone they like needs it the most.
Image generated with Meta AI on WhatsApp.
Posted using Neoxian City
