Why I Still Own this Toy from the 1980s?

We all have that one item from our childhood that holds a special place in our hearts — a blanket, a photograph, a storybook, or in my case, a rather peculiar toy made of rubber. This isn’t the kind of toy you see anymore. Today, plastic rules the world of playthings. But back then, in the 1980s, rubber was the go-to material. Durable, flexible, and oddly comforting to chew on — which I’ll get to in a moment.

My first toy was a rubber elephant with a little boy named "Om" sitting on its back. Om’s head could rotate a full 360 degrees — something that felt like pure magic when I was a toddler. The elephant wasn’t just a passive ride; its rubber neck moved too, allowing for endless imaginary adventures.

What makes this toy special isn't just its vintage charm. It’s the history embedded in it. You can still find tiny tooth marks on Om’s head — evidence of my early teething days. Yes, I gave it a fair share of bites. Somehow, the rubber survived both time and toddler rage.

And then there’s the whistle — a clever little design feature. Two small holes were drilled into the elephant’s feet where a whistle was fitted. Press the elephant’s stomach, and out came a sound that was part squeak, part trumpet — and all joy to my young ears.

Now you might wonder, why am I describing such a silly old toy in a blog post?

Because it’s not really about the toy.

This elephant and Om are a symbol — a reminder of how deeply we, as human beings, get attached to things. People, places, habits, even objects — we give them meaning, wrap emotions around them, and let them become part of our identity. Over time, of course, many of these attachments fade. New ones replace them. The old becomes memory.

This rubber toy, now worn out and tucked away in a drawer, once meant the world to me. It was my companion, my entertainment, my comfort. Today, it’s a fond relic — something I can hold, press, and smile at. The intense bond I once had with it has loosened its grip, but the warmth of the memory still lingers.

And maybe that’s the real point. Life is all about forming attachments — and then, learning to let go. That’s growth. That’s maturity. That’s moving on.

But once in a while, it's beautiful to look back — to a time when all you needed to feel joy was a squeaky elephant and a boy named Om.