Obviously, I’m going to sidestep essential things such as food, water, a home, electricity etc. in the interests of keeping this post interesting. 

1. My wife – I know she isn’t an object, but she the object of my affections and I would do without everything else just to keep her. She is amazing. 😻 

2. My garden – it is such a creative, wondrous space. I plant things and I can watch them grow, I get such pleasure and joy from it.

3. Love – Is love an object? Maybe I’m cheating, but I like to give love and recieve it. I have two beautiful grown up children who I love dearly, so love and loving, make me feel good.

When I was a teacher, I used to do this exercise with classes of kids. I’d get them to write down lists of everything they couldn’t live without and then I’d put them on the board and we’d discuss them. Then I’d put them in order of priority, where the most important things were at the centre and things would be put in rings around them, gradually getting further and further away.

They realised that, while they’d usually put surface things first, like sweets, pocket money, toys, computer games etc. it dawned on them that their Mum and Dad were the most important; their brothers and sisters, Aunties and Uncles, carers etc. then their friends and pets would go outside of them. The things they thought were important, like toys and games were on the edge and, in reality, were dispensable. It’s a good lesson for all of us to do I think, and to keep reminding ourselves of it.

P.S. Really it’s my iPad. Sod everyone else, I couldn’t live without that really. Oh and mint humbugs. Definitely them, and my favourite chair of course. And my bed….