If you received a true anonymous letter informing you that you were mistakenly changed at birth and that you are biologically of Amish parents, would you still know them? That is the premise of the new fiction book, A simple and elegant Christmas by Cynthia Keller.
Two babies were born several days apart in a Lancaster, Pennsylvania hospital thirty years ago. They were both named Raquel, one belonging to the Kings, a local Amish family. The other Rachel (aka Ellie) was born to Gil and Nina Lawrence of New York City. Nina had gone into labor while traveling through the city.
A neonatal nurse with whom Violet was romantically involved and eventually married fifty-year-old pediatric assistant Paul Thornton. A locked up alcoholic, he horribly changed both babies in the hospital. They were both silent for the sake of their careers.
Now, after Dr. Thornton’s death and facing her own mortality, Violet writes a cathartic letter to inform both women of what happened thirty years ago: “Two women in two different states would receive the same letter. Then she could breathe freely. finally, knowing that he had done what he should have done so long ago. “
By discovering her lineage, each woman confirms things about her essence. Ellie abhors clutter and disorganization, a key trait of the Amish. Rachel has always questioned the way her family lives, her faith, and her place in the world.
Rachel Yoder (Rachel’s husband, Jacob, died three years ago of cancer, and she and her eleven-year-old daughter Katie returned to live at the King Farm) is in awe of the revelations in the letter; however, he chooses to remain silent.
However, Ellie Lawrence is intrigued by his genealogy; and decides to continue knowing his biologically Amish parents.
Rachel receives a letter from Ellie about her intentions; and is forced to expose the hospital accident to her family.
The Kings accept Ellie’s visit. Wanting to spend more time with the Kings afterward, Ellie requests a week-long stay at the farm. Kings obey. While there, she is seen dressing simpler, wearing less makeup, and participating in the daily milking of the cows at 4:30 am. She also enjoys the reprieve from her position as vice president at a Manhattan public relations firm: “There is no office politics, there is no gossip, you don’t get nice to people you can’t stand.”
Rachel is shamefully aware of her jealousy towards Ellie; and realizes that she too is free to explore her heritage. The Lawrences welcome your weekday visit with their long-desired new granddaughter Katie.
The couple are showered with adoration by the Lawrence clan, as they enjoy tea at the Plaza Hotel and tour the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty.
After her week-long visit to the Kings, Ellie determines that she wants more time with them. He meets Rachel and reveals his intentions, a bold act foreign to Rachel. “I wish we were friends. Ellie’s tone was melancholic. However, it doesn’t seem to work that way. Why pretend?”
Ellie suggests that Rachel and her daughter Katie sublet their Manhattan apartment and join the Lawrence. After much contemplation, Rachel agrees, much to the dismay of her parents who are opposed to uprooting Katie to live in the big city.
Katie’s exposure to life in the metropolis is less than ideal. Rather, Rachel realizes her latent desire for an education beyond the standard eighth-grade Amish schooling.
Ellie’s newfound Amish life provides continual new experiences, including a new occupation and romance.
Many authors write fiction based on Amish culture, but few capture the depth of the plot quite like Keller. A simple and elegant Christmas creatively combine stories to produce an enriching holiday read.
Discover the Internet radio program dedicated to Amish customs at: http://toginet.com/shows/amishwisdom.
