Inspired by Christmas lights this evening, I was taken back to Christmas 2004. Our gift to our family was ten days on Anini Beach, Kauai. It was understood that presents would not be exchanged.
On the eve of Christmas, we roasted hot dogs and s'mores on the beach, decorated a fallen branch and hung stockings (anklets and sports socks) around the coffee table. Each person was instructed to give each other two gifts that would be described on simple squares of paper. The first gift was something you could buy but was unlimited by cost. You could give a gift worth millions or even billions. Some of these gifts were: a fleet of airplanes for a business, unlimited travel to any and all destinations, an island, etc. The second gift could have no physical constraints and was something that could not be purchased with money: a cure for diabetes, healthy curly haired children, a gift of scripture knowledge, peace and contentedness, etc.
Were traditional gifts missed? No. Not on a Hawaiian beach. We learned what we value and what our family members value. Preeminent was that we valued each other.
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