Kind of long...thanks in advance for letting me vent!
My sister has been a JW since 1974. She's been waiting for the end of this "system of things" since the fall of 1975. She never went to college. She has had probably 80 or more jobs since 1974. She has no retirement savings. She moved in with my 83 year old mom for the 9 or 10th time in her adult life about six months ago. Shortly afterwards she lost her job and went on unemployment. Three months ago my Mom fell and became incapacitated, to the extent that she needs a walker and cane to move around. My mom was still able to drive to her church (Unitarian) on Sundays....until last week. She got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and fell again. This time she cracked a rib and now can't use the walker because of the tenderness in her ribs.
My sister sent my two other brothers and myself an email explaining that her unemployment is running out soon and that she has bills to pay, car payment, cell phone etc... (she lives rent free and has her food provided by my mom). The jist of it is that she wants all of us to pay her to look after my mom. Her email seemed to imply that she was there 24/7 waiting hand and foot on my mom. When I broached the subject with my brother (an ex-JW who lives in the area) he reminded me that OUR SISTER IS A JEHOVAH'S WITNESS who spends around 30+ hours away from my mom attending meetings, going out service, socializing etc...
My sister stated to my brother that our mom shouldn't be driving, and that we should sell my moms car and pay off my sisters car with the proceeds. My brother stated to me that he thinks my JW sister WANTS my mom incapacitated so that she can be her full time caretaker.
I told my brother that I have no problem pitching in to pay someone to look after my mom, but I want a professional. So this weekend my brother talked to my sister and told her that we appreciate her help these last three months, but that she needs to get on with her life and get a full time job so that she can take care of herself. We will hire a professional to look after my mom.
Anybody still reading this...take a deep breath....my JW sister told my brother that she has been counting on my mothers estate for her retirement income. My brother rightfully made it clear to my sister that all money in my mom's estate will go to providing my mom the resources to provide comfort and dignity in her final days whether that is a year or 10 years. My sister looked completely aghast! Then my JW sister asked my brother how she is going to survive retirement and asked my brother if any of the three brothers would provide for my sister in her retirement. My brother said "You decided to be a JW, why should we provide for your retirement?"
I will be going up in two weeks to set help set up care for my mom. I can't wait to tell my sister face to face...I sure as hell am not going to pay for you to be a JW. You've worked for the WTS for free for over 30 years...ask them for retirement assistance!