When I was in elementary school, my grandmother took me to see a production of Fiddler on the Roof at our local theater. The very fact that I shared this exeperience with my grandmother points to the tradition that is an integral part of my family. As the cast opened the show with a stirring (albeit potentially cheesy) rendition of “Tradition!,” I was drawn into the story of this simple Jewish family. At the time, I didn’t understand the political undertones or the historical setting of the play, I simply saw a family making it through life day by day as they held fast to the traditions that had brought them safely thusfar. For weeks afterwards, I paraded around the house singing “Tradition” at the top of my lungs. It spurred conversation around the house about traditions we held dear. In fact, shortly thereafter I remember standing on the back porch with my dad as I asked him about the truth regarding a Jolly Ole’ Fellow whose identity I’d begun to question. My father used the song I’d been singing to begin to share about the traditions that make the holiday season magical…skillfully avoiding and answering my question all at once.
So, this morning…I don’t sit at the computer with a profound word or inspiring comment…I’m still waiting for that to happen one day. Instead, I sit here reflecting on the traditions that will mark the coming months. If you’ve stumbled upon this bog, welcome to the holidays in our house. Here are the traditions on the horizon:
- This one’s already happened. Sometime in mid-December, for the past 10 or so years, the ladies in my family have headed to Charlotte to the Southern Christmas Show. 12 hours later, completely exhausted, full from a great supper and carrying heavier bags and substantially lighter purses…we pull back into the driveway–fulfilled.
- Today…the day before Thanksgiving, is the day that “Operation Transform the House” begins. Out of respect for those less excited than I, the outside decorations will stay in the garage until after Thanksgiving. The inside, however, will be transformed today.
- Thanksgiving Day will include a traditional feast and a nap or two. But the traditions I’ll cling to are the time spent with family members watching Macy’s “Thanksgiving Day Parade”…and yes, tearing up as Santa comes into Times Square. At some point that day, I will also watch my very favorite movie of all time, Miracle on 34th Street. Jerry and my Dad will play golf (a newly established tradition) while the girls watch the parade and begin concocting the Black Friday plan. No online ads for us…the Thanksgiving morning paper is part of the fun. Knowing we have less than 24 hours to plan also adds to the thrill of the game.
- Black Friday will include some shopping. I may not buy anything, but I’ll go. And, I’m wearing a Christmas shirt.
- December will be filled with holiday programs, music, ABC Family’s 25 Days of Christmas, and lots of trips to see lights. Favorite displays include Riverbank’s Zoo, Saluda Shoals Park, and the James Island Light display. The best trips to see Christmas lights include pjs and hot chocolate.
- Speaking of hot chocolate, Jerry and I will end most evenings with something hot to drink.
- At some point (typically between December 15th and 24th), my father and I will go shopping for my mom. Other family members will be invited to breakfast, but not to shop. My father’s love for my sister and I knows no limits and does not include favoritism, but Christie will not be a part of the shopping. She has occasionally tagged along, and now understands why she does not want to come. My dad finds my mom and sister’s shopping–well, I better not say. They like to look for a gift, gather many options, and make a final decision. He and I simply move in for the kill, often accomplishing all of his shopping in less than 3 hours. He follows me around, signs the receipts, and carries the bags. We go home and he signs gift tags (a tradition in and of itself) as I wrap his presents. The mission is accomplished before lunch.
- Christmas Eve includes a trip out into town somewhere…not to shop, simply to drink in the holiday atmosphere one more time.
- By Christmas, I’ll be 28 years old. I’m not sure that my parents took me to church in 1981 when I was 25 days old. However, to my knowledge, every Christmas Eve since has been spent at Lexington Baptist Church. In my heart of hearts, I know that might not always be the case. If that happens, that first Christmas Eve away will be special and sweet in it’s way, but I’ll mourn not being at “my” church for that service. It’s such a special time. After it’s over, we’ll go back to my mom’s and celebrate Christmas Eve with Oyster Stew (yum!!!) and Potato Soup. Members of boths sides of my family who aren’t otherwise involved with families will be there. We’ll eat, laugh, track Santa (yes, still) and enjoy time together.
- Christmas morning needs no explanation…it cannot be impoved with words.
Yes, there were some traditions that no longer make the list. As much as Jerry loves Christie, we don’t invite her to sleep in the bed with us on Christmas Eve the way she and I did for…well, until we were married. The number of stockings at my mom’s house grew from two to three in 1981…from three to four in 1984…and from four to five in 2005 (probably really in 2004).
And this year, there will be new traditions. Our mantle will have a new stocking. We now have a house elf. The Christmas Eve service won’t be quite as peaceful this year. Our house will be a wreck. Some tissue paper will probably be eaten and boxes and bows will be the highlight of the day. I have a feeling 1981 looked much the same. Even though I found last year’s traditions just about perfect, living life means they’ll change. That’s even better, because as good as traditions are, some changes are more than worth it. New traditions must be made.
Time to go…the decorations are calling my name. Somehow, I have a feeling decorating may take a bit longer this year.
Many of us have heard expressions like “written in stone” or “written in blood” or “written on my heart.” We don’t often (ever?) speak of a truth as being “written on cardboard.” Yet, this weekend, that’s exactly what we will do. This Sunday, we will pause to remember the work that the Lord does in each of our lives as we take a look at the testimonies of what He’s done in the lives of our church family. What’s your cardboard story? You, too, have a story to tell. As the Lord works in the lives of His children, drawing everything together for His purposes, a story is written. In the midst of the vally, we can’t always see a purpose. In the fall of 2006, after nearly a year of trying to start a family, a nurse called with the result of some bloodwork I’d had done to tell me that something was wrong with my hormones, something that meant I might never have children. At that moment, there was no meaning, no purpose, no story to tell…all there was for me was an overwhelming feeling of despair. For longer than I care to admit, I saw the hurt and pain of infertility, and never the cardboard story. I didn’t realize that one day I’d be able to turn over the cardboard; I didn’t think there would be another side. Yet God was working, orchestrating the behind-the-scenes movie of our lives. When I only saw the darkness of my hurt, He saw the light of hope. When I only saw the front side of the cardboard, He knew the back. Your story might not be finished…your cardboard might seem one-sided. Yet the Author of Life is writing the back. There’s a back to this sheet of cardboard in the lives of Jerry and Kimberly Freeman, but there are many more signs yet to be completed. Some are complete, some have the front side already, and some are still blank. Sometimes I try to fill them in myself, only to find that the Father’s marker is bigger than mine.
Take a look at the work the Lord is doing in the lives of His children. Take a look at their cardboard testimonies. We’d love to have you join us for this special day. But more importantly, take a moment to tell someone your story. If you had to sum it up on a sheet of cardboard, what would you say? How could you use your story to connect with others? How could you use your cardboard to point others towards the Father? You have a story to tell. Find a piece of cardboard.
I couldn’t begin to count the number of times that I’ve planned to sit down and blog, only to be interupted by another task, a bout of drowsiness or the unquenchable urge to get down on the floor with my Hobbit and play. This morning, however…Jerry is watching the series finale of Seinfeld and the Hobbit is napping soundly in her swing, so it is time for me write. Since the last time I posted, the moments have blurred into a happy routine of bliss as we settle into life as a family of three. The time has come for Maddie to begin day care as I return to school for the 09-10 school year. It hasn’t been easy but we are adjusted. Maddie is happy and well-loved at day care and I can rest knowing that, if I can’t hold her close all day long, she is spending time with a group of ladies who will love and care for her as their own in the time that I am away. For this time and in this season, my calling remains to be a child of my Magnificent Creator above all else, then wife to my amazing husband and mother to precious daughter…and teacher to my extraordinary students. As much as I’d love to stay home with my sweet girl, for now, I am confident we are being obedient as I continue to teach.
I cannot believe that since the last time I have posted we have packed up newborn clothes, 0-3 month clothes and grown two diaper sizes. We have learned to roll over, bear weight on our legs and are working on sitting up. Perhaps this is a sad commentary on my faithfulness to blogging…perhaps this is a tribute to the amazingness with which time is ticking away. More than likely, it’s a combination of the two. Pausing to blog and missing a quick snuggle or big grin is hard to do. However, this afternoon we are enjoying a miracle comparable to walking on water…Maddie is taking a nap. While she sleeps, let me muse.
more books and probably had a little more sun, but honestly…I couldn’t tell you what filled my days. What I can tell you is that the joy in these summer months at home with Maddie supercedes any entertainment I might have enjoyed last summer.
to my Maddie-girl. When I think of the way that she is experiencing the unconditional love of a father that will point her to the Father…it brings tears to my eyes. I am blessed to have a married a man that is the man of both Maddie’s and my dreams!





