The Pink Stationary Set

The pink stationary set, the soccer ball
The pens the colour of my favourite skirt and the hair ties sparkling like wavering tin foil
They all filled me with as much jealousy that a 3 year old could muster

I waved goodbye to my dad at the airport as he took those items with him as well as many more
They would all be given to our sponsor children in Uganda
Days passed by and dad wasn’t home
My birthday passed with only a mandarin cake to celebrate
The time came that he was there again
As he enveloped me in a giant bear hug I innocently asked if they liked us
He said they loved us

A paper wrapped present was presented to me
Ripping the crackling paper I opened the special present
I loved it immediately
The necklace too big for my four year old neck hung limply and loosely
Bursts of earthly colours spread evenly through the black beads
The rounded colours of the beads filled me with warmth and home
My dad was home
I no longer wished for the pink stationary set