Wow,,Brianna,,just finished your book,,you had quadruple whammies in your life! You are a survivor big time and still young.
Being raised a JW kid is a whammy, full of unnatural expectations, and an abundance of empty rules.
Compounded to that, disfunctional parents. My opinion, that any parents converting into JW life have something "off" to some degree or another, some more than others. Then, outside of JWs there is no social network to go, as it is forbidden all along. None the less, we, all exJWs, have "stuff" to recover from.
Thirdly, the financial crisis, losing a job and no home to live is a crusher to most anybody and we all shudder at the possibility. Studies show that most are just a paycheck or two away from that possibility.
In the fourth dimension, you were alone, lonely, no real substantial emotional support, needing love, and at an age where having a normal relationship easily becomes foremost a priority. I am sickened you had to go through such horrible circumstances, to the point of your possible life in two critical circumstances, and alone. Most of us have loved and lost. We will never really understand the other person, however, we do learn more about ourself. Perhaps, at least words of wisdom, "love your neighbor, AS YOURSELF." I think most JWs, including me, didn't hear or comprehend those last two words. Took awhile.
Well, girl, proud of you on your successes. I guess we learn more by our failures, they say. But your successes are many and strong. Remember your successes mostly as they are outstanding.
I remember the movie, "Where The Heart Is," Ashley Judd and Natalie Portman. Pregnant girl living at Walmart. Cute story. I think you've got a good movie possibility like that. You are amazing and so many best wishes to you.
