One of the most memorable Christmases (at least for me), was the year that my family went to Hawaii. In 2006 mom and dad came to my siblings and I with the idea of taking a fun trip rather than gifting traditional presents.
It was probably one of the best ideas they've ever had.
In the chilly Midwestern month of December, we were off and away. The flights all felt quite long and we had a layover in Chicago. (Little did I know how well our family would come to know the meaning of long flights.) (Also, don't remind my dad that I left my glasses on this flight; we don't have to mention that.)
Though we had left early in the morning, we arrived on Oahu after dark and picked up our rental car. We had every window rolled down and island Christmas music playing as we drove down Kalakaua Avenue and checked into the Hokulani Hotel. We could smell the sea air and the lights on the thoroughfare danced.
It was decided that we only had time for a brief recon excursion (for Diet Coke, to be sure) and to construct a game plan for the next day before falling into bed. At the top of the list: beach, drives, visit some old stomping grounds, plate lunch, and general sight seeing.
Here is what I can tell you about the next few days: they were a dream.
The next day we drove out to the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout. It was a revelation for me. So much history, and I wanted to drink it all up. I would credit that visit with planting a seed of love for visiting old places.
For as many meals as we could muster a group consensus, we had Plate Lunch. (Seriously, if you're not sure what plate lunch is, I am sad for you.) One of our favorite places was Byron's--a drive in. Again, this was revelatory for me. Grilled meat? Mac salad? Rice? Yes, yes, and yes.
We drove to North Shore. We visited the Polynesian Cultural Center and BYU Hawai'i. We visited Tripler Hospital, where my brother and I were both born. Our itinerary was packed.
We also visited the base where my dad worked and our family lived while stationed in Honolulu. In some buildings could still be seen the effects of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
During our trip, my mom also picked out a new Hawai'ian bangle. If you know my mom, you know of her Hawaiian bangle bracelets. She has worn her Hawai'ian bangles since I was born and we can always hear the "clink, clink" of mom coming. They were a great early warning system for young mischief makers, but don’t tell her that. Not to mention that they are gorgeous.
When we visited our old house it was one of the first times that I could tangibly recognize the reality of all that my parents worked for and how far they had come. They had gone from a concrete floor and chain link fence to a beautiful home with many comforts. And absolutely none of it was handed to them. I was moved by the reality of that.
On Christmas day we went to a secluded beach and spent the entire day on the sand. It was beautiful, smooth sand and we were all by ourselves. My mom had come prepared with all kinds of snacks and made sure we had the necessary layers of sunscreen. My dad buried us in the sand and chased us into the ocean (mom let him!). Let me tell you, everyone should have the opportunity to experience Christmas on a warm, sandy beach at least once in their lives. I don't have anything but perfect memories from that day.
In the evenings during our trip, after an entire day of running us all around the island (literally), mom and dad would walk hand in hand down to the beach at sunset. They left us in the hotel rooms with the TV remotes and instructions to shower. When they got back they would let Jack and I roam the shopping center nearby and we stopped in to probably twenty ABC Stores.
I had such an amazing trip with my family. It may have been the first (hard to believe it was over years ago), but it certainly wasn't the last Holiday trip. Since then we have been to Rome, London, Paris, Belgium, Berlin, and Chicago for various Christmases. I didn’t realize until I’d reflected on it more, but this was the last Christmas we had together before we began the new season of adult family Christmases. So many things are different, and yet so many things remain the same. I love the warmth of gathering with family around the holidays, and I’m not just talking about the sunny beach.
One of my favorite things about travelling with my family during the holidays is that it serves as a reminder of what the important part of the season is, and that is spending time with loved ones. It it making time for the people who are important, especially family. I couldn't wish for a better family for myself, they are the best gift of all.