Hi Odrade
I read your mom's letter and your reply last night. Like Sassy it could have been a letter from my mother too - not that she bothers to write, but this uniformity and impersonality of phraseology in the way our parents address us is all symptomatic of their brainwashing. Where else in the world would mothers all talk to their duaghters with the same stepford-level of dispassion and detachment?
I did read your mother's again (and again) and felt towards the end she was genuinely allowing some of her real confusion and bewilderment to come through, although it still was like a Society-template in so many ways. There's so little personality or warmth in these letters from family because they aren't really from them - they are from the "christ-like personality" they believe they have put on - not realising that if anything what they are doing is a direct perversion of nearly all Christ's teachings.
I think your letter in response addresses this beautifully Odrade. I too, like someone before me, plan to bookmark this because your letter covers everything she asks and more in such a loving and patient way and if I believed in Christ would say it epitomised the love he demonstrated with no superiority, no anger, no insincerity - with which we all know the organisation is riddled with. I found your reply very touching, very touching in deed and wish I were as capable of collecting my thoughts in such an orderly fashion. I think it must help you a lot to have a hubby coming from the same place that you can discuss this with when you need to.
I hope your mother responds when you do choose to send this. Maybe you should not send it though until a few days after her return. She'll be doubtless expecting and possibly dreading a response from you on her return home - perhaps it has been prompted by this January watchtower drive to cut off all non believing family members (for thats what it amounts to). Would she feel after your letter that she has to severe all ties with you completely do you think? She clearly expects that your reply may be a "no-turning back moment".
Not to be mean - but I did giggle at her assumptions about astrology and your reply. Maybe it was a little stern when you asked why she would make that assumption... we know that JWs always assume the worst in anyone or any event that is outside the borg. However it is a question she should ask herself. My mother used to make these random assumptions too and they were often very cruel and upsetting to me as a child. But thats another story..
Overall - I applaud you and your reply.
Crumpet