text: CHRISTMAS EDEN This may have been the worst idea ever. You don't pull together a group of adults who barely know each other and pretend to be a family again. It's ridiculous. I had moved out of the house when I was 15. I just couldn't deal with the abuse and neglect from my so-called parents. They didn't care one bit about us 8 kids. We truly meant nothing to them; except a few extra dollars from the government. We scrounged for nibbles of food, taking apples off of our neighbor's trees, nicking bread off of a delivery truck, knowing where every free handout and meals were located within 3 miles of our home growing up. Besides the neglect at home, at school, when we would actually go to school, we'd get mocked and beat up because we weren't wearing the latest and greatest fashions. Who cares. My body is covered; that's what matters. I was lucky to have a matching pair of socks. Even the teachers snubbed us and turned their noses up at us. So much for their support. Anyhow, I was messaged by one of my siblings who I hear from maybe once every 2 years. Duane said, "hey I know we don't talk much, but we're planning us kids all getting together on Christmas eve to catch up. Can you come, Eden?" Well that came out of the blue. Why would I even want to see any of that so-called family? We were raised pretty much on our own and we rarely looked out for one another as we just couldn't afford to. We each went our own way and never much looked back. I gave Duane's message some thought. Knowing it was pointless to get together, but I kept getting this odd feeling that I really ought to consider it. I messaged Duane back, "where and when?". He immediately wrote back, "Christmas Eve at Splindlers on Main at 2." That was just 2 days away and over an hour’s drive. Do I really want to make that trip for a little lunch with strangers? Again, something strange happened and I responded, “see you then.” The world must be going mad. Why had I typed that? I managed to head to work at the bookstore in the small town of Makron. I was greeted by Marian who is always this super bubbly soul who has had the easiest life. “Oh Eden, you have got to come over here and see this new author, Milton Masters. He has a book signing here today for his new book “From The End Of Time. He’s dreamy!” “Marian, we have met author after author at this bookstore and they’re all the same; egotistical, self-centered and overall annoying. What makes Milton Masters any different?” “He’s different; he really is. I just know you’ll like him,” whispered Marian so the entire bookstore didn’t turn and stare. Eden gave in and walked with Marian to the book signing area and there sat . . . “Now wait a minute! That’s not Milton Masters!” Eden said with raised voice, “that’s my long-lost brother, Tommy DuGrant. Who is this Milton Masters name you mentioned?” Marian, obviously confused and stunned, “You know Milton Masters? He’s a world-renowned author who writes about living out our days and even our last days to the fullest. Milton has quite the following and we are so lucky to have him here at the bookstore. And you have a brother? You never mentioned him, let alone a long-lost brother!” I immediately walked up to Milton Masters and said, “well hello there big brother, what brings you around this neck of the woods?” said Eden in a sarcastic tone. Eden knew that Tommy Dugrant, aka Milton Masters, thought he was God’s gift to everyone who met him. He always had an answer with many words, so it made sense he became an author; but why here and why now in my bookstore? While Eden waited for a response, Tommy, only glanced her way and acknowledged her with a nod of his head and turned back to the line of Milton Masters fans and continued the task at hand, signing his name and chatting. It wasn’t until an hour later that Tommy was ready to leave the bookstore when he approached Eden. “Hey, sorry about that, but I needed to take care of my readers. They have supported every book that I’ve written along the way. This book, From The End Of Time, is #1 on the Books-A-Galore ratings. I didn’t know you worked here, Eden? I didn’t even know you were going to be here.” “I don’t only work here,” said Eden, “I own the place! I found that I had a gift for retail sales after I left home all those years ago. I’ve made a good living; but look at you. Number 1 on Books-A-Galore? That’s amazing.” Tommy said, “Eden, life was hard growing up for both of us. It looked like no end in sight. I wanted a better life for myself, for all of us; I had to take the leap and write about overcoming obstacles in life. I didn’t think it would be well received, I was shocked when sales grew into the hundreds of thousands. And here we are face to face once again.” Eden wasn’t in the mood to talk about those rough growing up years, so a quick change of subject was in store. “Duane messaged me. Did he message you?” “Nah, I don’t even have Duane’s number. I didn’t think any of us were in touch at all anymore. What did he want?” asked Tommy. “What are you doing Christmas eve at 2 pm?” inquired Eden. “I was planning to go snow skiing with some buddies. None of us are family men and we just were going to blow off some steam,” responded Tommy. “Well you are now going to Splindlers on Main at 2 for us eight siblings meal together.” “I’m what? No way. I already have plans and who are the eight siblings? I only know of four.” Eden gently said, “You moved out of the house even before the other 4 brothers were born. They don’t know you and you don’t know them, but you are going. I’ll pick you up at 12 here at the bookstore. Deal?” “I don’t know about this. Why would I even want to see any of them? I have lived without even knowing they existed now for 15 years. What’s the point?” inquired Tommy. “The point is, I see you, MILTON MASTERS, and it’s time they see you. Be here Saturday at 12. I’ll drive. See you then.” And with that, Eden turned on her heels and headed to the back of the bookstore. Tommy, turned to leave and Marian said in her most chipper voice, “goodbye, Merry Christmas and hope to see you soon.” Out the door Tommy went. I’ll think about going Saturday, Tommy muttered to himself. I don’t like how Eden just assumes I’ll be here Saturday. So rude. Not in the best of moods, Tommy headed to his next book signing at the next town of Lake Charles. Friday went by smooth for both Eden and Tommy. Nothing new and exciting, but both wondered about this Saturday sibling meal and both decided, I’ll give them an hour of my time and that’s it. I have things to do and people to see. It’s now Christmas Eve morning. Eden arrived at 8 am at the bookstore to get the coffee on and breakfast items out as it was a special day. It was ‘children’s day’. Buy a children’s book and one children’s book gets donated to the local orphanage; well they don’t call them orphanages anymore, Children’s Castle is the name given in our town of Makron. Children and parents, grandparents and grandchildren were lined out the door ready to buy the latest and greatest books by local authors and by nationally known authors. Everyone knew this was a brilliant way to support the Children’s Castle and provide a bit of hope to the children. The morning flew by when all of a sudden Milton Masters, oh I mean Tommy Dugrant walked through the front door. “I’m ready to go, Eden,” said Tommy, “let’s get this show on the road. My buddies are expecting me at the slopes by 6 pm. Everyone should enjoy a Christmas Eve Ski Run! Don’t you think?” “Let me close up shop and we’ll head to Splindlers,” said Eden. The last of the crowd had made their purchases and dropped their donated books into the donation box. It was a great day for the bookstore and for Children’s Castle. “Hey, do you mind if we drop off these donated books to the Castle before we head to Splindlers? It will make the children so happy.” “Sure, why not. I’m in no rush to meet up with people I don’t know for a lunch,” said Tommy. “Great, then help me,” Eden ordered, “this box is incredibly heavy.” Without a complaint, Tommy lifted the box and walked out the door to the waiting van to load it up. “Good grief, Eden, how many books are in here?” “If my sales slip is correct, around 750. You could have waited before grabbing that big box. We could have separated them into 2 or 3 boxes to help the carrying part easier!” said Eden while chuckling. “But you were always the showboat kind of man.” Eden locked up the bookstore, jumped in the drivers seat of the van and off they went to Children’s Castle to make an important delivery. The Castle manager, Noel, knew they were on the way and gathered the children at the door to greet the arrival of the books. “What an exciting day,” Noel said to the children. “You will all be gifted with a brand new, wonderful book from a very special friend of mine, Eden. Now we know what to say, right children?” “Yes, Miss Noel, THANK YOU,” the 30 children chimed together. Just then the blue minivan arrived at the front gate of the Children’s Castle. Tommy and Eden jumped out of the van and said “HO HO HO” to the children in their best Santa voices ever, opened the back end of the van and hauled the big box of brand-new books into the Castle. To say the children were overjoyed was no joke. It seemed just the right book was there for each child and many more. They had a full library now of brand-new children’s books to read, enjoy, love and imagine for a better life for themselves. Eden and Tommy couldn’t stay long as they had that sibling lunch in just an hour. As they were heading to the minivan, the children all said in their sing-song voices, “Thank You and Merry Christmas!” “And a very Merry Christmas to you, dear ones,” said Eden. “Happy Ho Ho Ho to each of you,” Tommy chimed in joyfully. In the minivan Eden and Tommy left for their hour drive to Splindlers. They shared many things along the way and it was actually great catching up; but what waited for them, they did not know. With five minutes to spare, they arrived at their destination. The parking lot was loaded with cars. “This must be the place to be,” said Eden. “I’m just hoping the food is worth it. Actually, that’s what I’m counting on,” added Tommy, “I need loads of energy for the evening ski run with the boys.” “Well, we better get inside and meet and greet and see what this is all about,” said Eden. The hostess of Splindlers welcomed us with “Merry Christmas! Just two of you today?” “Ohhhhh no, I believe we have a group here waiting for us by the last name of DuGrant,” stated Eden. “Follow me,” said our cheery hostess, “you are gathering in the Tidings Room.” We followed our hostess to the rear of the building, entered the Tidings Room and what a beautifully decorated room we had. Reminded me of photos I’ve seen of Christmas in the Hamptons. It was stunning. Multiple white Christmas trees with the fake snow on them with white twinkling lights. There were white knit stockings hung on the fireplace mantle at the far end of the room. The group of tables had white table runners on them with silver and gold snowflakes embroidered on them; gold metal crystal beaded pillar candle holders sparkling with dancing flames. Just stunning. The light jazz Christmas music we heard was by a band in the corner with such talented vocalists, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, cello and piano. “This is absolutely beautiful,” Eden said finally taking in the scene. She hadn’t even noticed her 6 siblings staring at her and Tommy. She was enamored by the beauty of the room. Tommy said, “I have never seen anything like it.” Duane was the first to approach Eden and Tommy, “Well hello there my sister and brother. Welcome to the DuGrant Christmas Eve gathering. I do hope the room meets your approval.” “Meet our approval? You have got to be kidding me. This is stunning. How did you pull this off Duane?” asked Eden. “I had no idea it was going to be this formal; I would have dressed more appropriately.” Duane just laughed and welcomed Eden and Tommy with a hug and reindeer head gear. “You have to wear them. Don’t even think about taking them off. Here, smile, it’s photo time!” Snap snap went a few photos and immediately they were posted to social media. Eden whispered to Tommy, “Well this is going a lot differently than what I thought it would. Much better actually. I thought we’d be all sitting around staring at the glass of water in front of us.” Tommy felt the same way and whispered back, “are we in the right room?” We went around the room introducing ourselves. Some of our siblings brought their families along. So I was meeting nieces and nephews I had never met before in my life. We all have the same freckles across our noses and the larger foreheads that we got off our father; you could see mom’s expressions in many of the faces around the room. It truly was incredible. We sat. We ate. We drank. We chatted. It was the most pleasant ‘family gathering’ I had ever witnessed in life. Considering we all came from a challenging home life, it looked like we all turned out just fine. There was one little girl present that actually looked familiar along with a little boy that were not introduced. Then all of a sudden, Noel came in the room, remember her from Children’s Castle? We had just seen her over an hour ago as we dropped off the donated books. Come to find out, Noel is dating Duane; well he actually proposed to Noel on the covered bridge down Township Road 62 on their way to Splindlers, so that would make Noel his fiancé! The two children, Josie and Jake, live at Children’s Castle and are being adopted by Duane and Noel. Eden stook up at her table and with a heart full of appreciation and thankfulness began to speak, “Honestly, I had absolutely no interest in coming to this sibling gathering when Duane first messaged me. My how the mind can change on a whim if we are open to the possibilities. Mr. Milton Masters here beside me is a famous Author; you may know him best as Tommy Dugrant. Duane and Noel have beautiful hearts to pull this entire event together for a family of siblings who struggled through the years both physically, mentally and emotionally. For all of us to come through our pasts to be this happy together, is a shock and a pure blessing; only the workings of a great Spirit could bring us to this point. Will you each please join with me in a toast, to the DuGrant’s . . . will to thrive in life no matter the obstacles and let’s vow to meet up again on Christmas eve each year and perhaps more often in between. To the DuGrant’s”. “To the Dugrant’s” was echoed around the room as children held their milk glasses, water glasses and bottles up and the adults raised their glasses to prove that humans can be resilient; that even with the challenges of life, the never give up mantra must be lived out. Surprises are on the horizon and for Eden, Tommy, Duane, Noel and their family and friends, as they live their best lives ever.