It was important because it let the kid inside me and the rest of the group out to play a little bit. Call it 'recaptured youth' -- in two 15-minute battles.
Giftee: David Weinstock, Vermont
Gift: a surprise laser-tag birthday party

My boyfriend, a seasoned traveler, introduced me to the world with a trip to France, Spain and Morocco. New language, culture, food and worldviews gave me heightened awareness of the unity in the world, in spite of superficial differences. Seeing new places and learning new cultures is a reflection of what he has brought into my life.
Giftee: Teresa Roach, Georgia
Gift: travel

In Vientiane, Laos, I had met some lovely people who lived by the morning market. The people had very little. I spent several afternoons there playing paddy cake and took photos of all of the kids, and gave them to parents. One day, I arrived and they presented me with two gifts wrapped in shiny paper. I was touched by this and felt horrible that they had spent money on me. I still get teary eyes thinking of it, but it's another example of something I learned from traveling: that often, it's the people with the least that will give you the shirt off their backs.
Giftee: Jack McCartor, Oregon
Gift: two bars of soap

There is a too-little known tradition that says giving someone a single penny is a silent way to say 'I love you.' During my last year in graduate school, I was going away for a 6-week externship. My shy, soft-spoken boyfriend was helping me pack, carefully folding the clothes. When I unpacked, I found each pocket held a single penny. Each morning. 19 years later, that same soft-spoken fellow makes me a cup of tea and keeps it warm by covering it with a saucer holding a single penny.
Giftee: Rebecca Levin, Ohio
Gift: a handful of pennies

When I was a Freshman at Indiana University, my Dad had a drug store in Northern Indiana. He got me a new 1949 Red Jeepster. I washed the car once a week, winter and summer, and we still remember the fun we had in that cute convertible. My son recently found one for sale, so the Jeepster is once again a member of my family.
Giftee: Elinor Hendrix, Indiana
Gift: 1949 red Jeepster

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