If I'd known then what I know now, I would have realised that the vague prospect of everlasting life in the company of other witnesses, was not enough reason to give up all the pleasurable things in THIS life.

If I'd known then what I know now, I would not have spent many years appeasing my JW parents. I would not have waited 12 years before saying that DF'ing was their problem, not mine, and how dare they question how I live my life and bring up my children? I'm the one setting the right example by loving them without any conditions being attached.

If I'd known then what I know now, I would have accepted that most people are kind and helpful whenever possible. I would have ditched the teachings of JW's and modelled my life on something like Desiderata. http://acadia.bu.edu/johnk_html/Philosophy/Desiderata.html

Englishman.

JanG,

Not if you're forever looking behind you!

Cheers,

Ozzie

:If I'd known then what I know now

Oh, don't even get me started....

Julie

Good morning Ozzie, Englishman and JanG:

I am enjoying the 'here and now', the freedom to think for myself and no burdens of misplaced guilt, at least I'm enjoying it as much as I can with the rift the shunning rule has placed between family members.

What I lament over and cannot replace is the years lost to the 'then and past'. I would dearly love to be able to do them over again but differently. But like crying over spilt milk, what's the use.

At least I can enjoy the here and now for which I am extremely grateful.

Had Enough

PS to JanG: I accessed your mother's day message. What a thoughtful thing to do. Just wanted to say thanks here since I tried to sent a reply back to you from that site but it wouldn't acknowledge you email address for some reason. I must have made an error some place. Just wanted you to know I appreciated it.

PS to JanG: I accessed your mother's day message. What a thoughtful thing to do. Just wanted to say thanks here since I tried to sent a reply back to you from that site but it wouldn't acknowledge you email address for some reason. I must have made an error some place. Just wanted you to know I appreciated it

Thanks .... Don't know why there was a problem with the e-mail .....

Hope you have a good one ....

JanG