On the day I was five years old, my mother went into the hospital and produced my newest baby sister, Jennifer. My 3 and a half year old sister, upon hearing the news, said! “Her name is Jennifer and I don’t like her.” My reply was, “She’s the best birthday present I’ve ever had!”

On Hallowe’en night, 1963, I went into hospital and, the following morning gave birth to a daughter weighing 6 and a half pounds, my daughter, ‘Veronica’. She will always be my best present to myself.

On the afternoon of the 2nd of April, 1995, ‘Veronica’ went into hospital and gave birth to Chloë, my only grand daughter, who will always be another best present.

‘Things’ are great. Books and jewellery and clothes, music, theatre tickets, magazine subscriptions etc etc are great – at the time, but are read, worn, used, listened to, etc etc and eventually lost or thrown away or forgotten. But, siblings, children and, grandchildren are most loved and loving and will never be forgotten or tossed away!

These are my best presents.

(Veronica is a pseudonym – because she’s shy!)