I DON'T LIKE GIFTS.

Yes, you read my title correctly, I don't like gifts, it's not because of anything serious, I do not just like Fancy gifts. This doesn't mean I do not appreciate them, in fact, you could win my heart if you gave me a gift. But note, that it is not the gift itself that made you win my heart, but rather the effort taken to win me over. Some time ago, I had a small quarrel with a friend, and she came bearing gifts to apologize. I accepted the apology and took the gift just so I didn't look like I was still angry with her (which I wasn't). We were talking some days later and she was like she knew I liked gifts that was why she bought me one. I just looked at her and smiled with pain in my heart because it was at that point it became clear to me that she never knew me.

Now Valentine's is around the corner. If I should be given a gift, I would prefer a service gift to a physical one that I would use till it finishes. A service gift could be anything. When I look at service, I look at the intent, and intentions and nothing more. Although I can't see exactly what a person is thinking, I could, however, imagine the intent of their actions by watching closely and seeing how they respond to little things. I would prefer to go to a local restaurant and eat street food as a treat from someone whose only hope is to spend time with me. The effort made to spend time with me would be more valuable than anything that person would have given.

During the holidays a friend of mine gave me a gift, I appreciated it for Courtesy's sake and thought to replicate the favor. So I did a video of her telling her the things I loved about her. After weeks of giving it to her, she told me one day that she watches that video anytime she thinks about me which by the way was my intent. I always want to make a mark that will always be remembered in the hearts of the people I decide to gift myself to. Yes, you read me well, when I give gifts I like to gift myself, my energy, by sweat, or even my blood depending on who and level of importance. And it is because of this I prefer service gifts to physical gifts.

Another reason I prefer the service gift is because a person might be able to afford the physical gifts I can afford to give, but would never be able to afford the heart and strength I used in giving my service. I'm planning on gifting someone a Valentine's Day present. I know what I want to do, but I don't know if the person would appreciate it as I do. Either way, I think I'm going to do it as a small way of saying thank you to the person.

Some years back a friend of mine won my heart when she went out of her way to ensure I ate in a camp meeting where food was limited. We weren't friends then, my friends there wouldn't move an inch for me, she was a friend of one of my friends and we just met that day. I was so touched by her actions and we are very good friends to date. She still looks out for me as I try to do for her but what she doesn't know is that little action of her's that probably meant nothing to her, has been in my heart since then forming the foundation of our friendship. I would prefer sitting and eating ice cream with you on Valentine's Day to you giving me an iPhone 15. It's not just about the quality time I think of, it's the effort made to create that time. You probably had to cancel some meetings, avoid some calls, take permission just for me… now that for me is a gift.

THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE GHANA PROMPT FOR THE WEEK.