Smithshire Methodist Episcopal
The Christmas Grudge
Steve Davis
I got on facebook this morning as has become mandatory. I am friends with many people I don't know well. I know them from my community involvement, but often I do not know their friends. I saw a post "two humiliating encounters this week and only Monday." Friends were posting well wishes for a better day, etc. A recent reply was a little longer with a whine about their humiliation. They had received a Christmas card with a photo taken by you know who ... I didn't know who, but I thought no joy in their Christmas. I quit reading the post and began to think. The words The Christmas Grudge came to me. I began to think I've been hurt and felt disappointment had I held grudges? How did I deal with them? I thought of people depressed at Christmas either angry with God over lost loved ones, or depressed from other kicks in the groin life delivers. I set this in a church like the one I grew up in, in Smithshire. It is not based on any one in particular. It is entirely a work of fiction. It is not true, but it has truthiness as Stephen Colbert would say. I am still editing it so you are welcome to modify it. Acknowledge me as the author and note your modification. I had an unexpectd cold and fever this morning, tylenol is working, but I still may think better of this. Dec 2014
Edited this again this year - if I keep this up for another five Christmas’s may become readable – Dec 2015
Forgottonia is a place where you can endlessly wander the lonely roads, and never once miss the fast lane. The name Forgottonia captures an image of a region, off the beaten path, which is very true of Western Illinois.
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