The Gardins of Edin by Rosey Lee

Author:Rosey Lee [Lee, Rosey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Crown Publishing Group
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The Gardins observed Christmas Eve by serving the community, like the generations that preceded them. The tradition began in the early years after Edin was founded, when Gardin family members and the other founders shared each other’s problems daily in an effort to build and maintain the community. As the town grew and families became more independent and successful, the Gardins pledged not to forget their humble beginnings. They became more intentional about continuing the family’s legacy of service. They chose Christmas Eve as an annual day for collective service, a nod to the Nativity story and the faith that had sustained the family through ups and downs over the years.

Martha relished the opportunity to lead the family on Christmas Eve, but her motivation differed from that of her ancestors. She wasn’t interested in connecting with her family members or maintaining the community. The service activity reflected her social-climbing interests. If she did a good job, the buzz would spread around town that she was the one to watch in the family. As a child, Martha admired the distinction her mother and grandmother enjoyed through their roles as full-time community volunteers. She aspired to take that status in the community to the next level. Although she enjoyed practicing medicine and took her responsibility seriously, she also viewed it as a conduit to the ranking in the family and community she believed was hers—the ranking currently occupied by Ruth. And she had no intention of allowing the challenges within her family to distract from her goals. Though Mary’s health emergency had pulled Martha’s focus away from Ruth, she had not forgotten the threat she believed Ruth posed. The service activity provided an unexpected opportunity to address the problem that took up so much space in her mind.

Martha had convinced the family to visit nursing home residents. The elders at Edin Family Village were enthusiastic about her theme for the afternoon: Caroling and Coloring. The nursing home was accustomed to caroling during the Christmas season, but Martha had expanded the activity to include coloring because it helped seniors with memory, positive thinking, and social skills.

She anticipated the event would go over well with the residents and staff, but she was more excited to see how her family would react to Nicholas, her surprise guest. She looked over at the center of the dining hall, where her sister directed clusters of residents in a rousing rendition of “Joy to the World.” Mary sat instead of standing, so as not to overexert herself as her heart healed. But her exaggerated arm movements delighted the seniors as their voices layered like a seasoned glee club. As Mary cued the group to start the second verse, she blinked discreetly at Martha, slightly tilting her head in the direction of Naomi and Nicholas.

Martha followed Mary’s gaze. Naomi giggled as she circulated the room, ensuring each table had enough adult coloring books, crayons, and coloring pencils. Nicholas followed closely behind her, with a smile as big as the crate of coloring supplies he carried.

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