Making Memories This Christmas Season

We are celebrating Christmas differently this year. My husband and I attended four live performances in the past two weeks. We enjoyed two theatrical programs on our own and two events with our two youngest grandchildren, hoping to make long-lasting memories.

Our grandchildren joined us for Merry Christmas, Uncle Scrooge, an original musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, presented by Packard Playhouse in Columbia, Tennessee. A cast of talented adults and children brought the story of Ebenezer Scrooge to life, as the miser Scrooge transformed into a warmhearted and generous man.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done.
Proverbs 19:17, NIV

Last weekend, Kenn and I attended a matinee at the Capitol Theatre in Lebanon, Tennessee, for another live performance, White Christmas, presented by Audience of One Productions. Truly a delightful musical with gifted performers. A story of kindness and helping a friend in need. Of course, I enjoyed the romance too.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others,
for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Hebrews 13:16, NIV 

That evening, we gathered up our two youngest grandchildren again and celebrated the birth of our Lord as Nashville’s Christ Church Choir sang and worshipped. We received a blessing from the beautiful songs, scriptures, and exceptional talent.

All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.
Psalm 66:4, NIV 

On Wednesday, we drove to Granville, Tennessee, for a live performance at the Mayberry Dinner Theater. We enjoyed a delicious meal and laughed as the actors portrayed scenes from The Andy Griffith Show and I Love Lucy. My favorite characters were Gomer and Goober. A real hoot as we say here in Tennessee!

A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22, NIV 

This year, we will have another new experience since returning to Tennessee. Our church rarely has a choir, but they put one together for our Christmas Eve services. Kenn and I are joining in and are excited to sing with a choir again.

Are you making new memories to celebrate Christmas this year? Or would tampering with a cherished tradition put you on someone’s naughty list?

Wishing you a Christmas filled with joy, spent with family and friends, making lasting memories. May your days be joyful and full of love as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

A Goofy Daughter

Our youngest daughter described herself to a new acquaintance as goofy. Her friend and I chuckled over that confession, and I shared the story of how our daughter gained Goofy as her nickname when she was eight years old.

My husband and I discovered a remarkable camp in Colorado that gave families with adopted Cambodian children the chance to learn about their cultural background through various activities. We thought the camp would be a great opportunity for her and for us.

The three of us boarded a plane in Nashville, Tennessee, and flew to Denver, Colorado. There, we rented a car and drove to Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby for a few days of camp.

The camp provided a fun environment for adopted children to not only learn about their cultural roots, but to make new friends. She delighted in every moment of the trip, while we captured digital memories to cherish for years to come.

After camp ended, we made our way back to Denver for our flight home. Still settling down from all the excitement, she asked if she could borrow my camera to take pictures from the backseat window. Seemed reasonable. With majestic mountains, peaceful streams, and winding roads, the area was a photographer’s dream.

But she wasn’t captivated by any of those breathtaking sights. She was on a mission to document every outdoor bathroom she encountered, snapping pictures of rest stops and portable toilets. Her new hobby earned her the playful nickname Goofy.

As I shared the story with her friend about how she earned her nickname, the sound of our daughter’s belly laugh got her friend and me laughing too. Once our daughter composed herself, she asked, “But why did I want to take pictures of bathrooms?”

Well honey, I guess it’s because you really are goofy.

Even at twenty-four, her nickname still suits her. She’s quite an amusing character, or as we say in the south, a real hoot.

A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul.
Proverbs 17:22a, TPT 

Do you or someone close to you have a childhood nickname that still fits?