Gloria Smit

Uriah's Utopia Gloria Smit

A young Illinois couple, Uriah and Alodie, leave their strict Calvinist upbringing behind to search out a new life. When Uriah is drawn to a Utopian cult, Alodie goes along with his grand idea. They both meet the cult head on and come out of it better people, for a lifetime. It was one o'clock when Uriah and I walked into the farmhouse with sleeping children in our arms. Jane and Stuart's gift was a white stoneware pot painted with one blue flower-simple, but beautiful. I placed it admiringly on the top of the refrigerator and planned to use it for my favorite recipes. "Are you happy, Hon?" I asked Uriah as we cuddled together listening to the rain against the bay window."Sure," Uriah answered without hesitation. Uriah didn't catch the sadness in my voice as I continued, "I miss our old friends and having something bigger than ourselves to care about, like we did during the war. Promise seems like a playground in comparison. I think our new friends feel the same. Chances are, we'll never experience the same comradery or a time like that again." "Are you kidding?" Uriah raised both arms as if commencing a sermon, "What could be bigger than starting a new civilization?"