Here was the thread I invited you all to vote on: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/143406/1.ashx
So, I went to the Farewell party for my wife's best friend. It was a small affair, not the entire congregation
like I expected. Only one elder came, he was so late that I had already eaten. Another elder's wife
came, but her husband did not. I doubt that either was trying to avoid me. The only uncomfortable
moment was when the hostess throwing the party was ready to serve dinner. Only two men had
arrived, me and another JW who was "marked" a few years ago. He was active, but marked. I was
inactive, but not marked. Clearly, he was going to offer the prayer, but she felt so awkward asking him
in front of me. It's a good thing she did ask him, because I would never have offered it. The normal
JW thing would have been for her to ask him in the kitchen just before doing it in front of everyone.
The hostess had an UBM who stayed away from the whole party in the other part of the house. He
was watching the Cubs forget to show up for the playoffs. After I ate, I joined him.
The JW's were all very friendly to me, nobody trying to pry. No shunning or the like. They were letting
their own selves out, and just being normal people. Nobody tried to spoil the mood with theocratic talk
of any seriousness. Sorry I don't have any better story here, just a non-story.