After being raised as a JW, my Dad was DF'd for the 2nd time in 1994. That year he lost a wife, 3 children, mother and brother, as well as every friend he had made throughout his 40 years of life. Over the years my sister and I gradually started contacting him, but never had a real father/daughter relationship. A few years ago, during my divorce, he and I sat down and started discussing his feelings. Due to the JW faith, he felt like his childhood was ripped from him and then his greatest joys in life, my brother, sister, and I, were taken from him in adulthood. He felt that even after he left the Org, that they still had a hold on his happiness because he was carrying so much hurt and bitterness.
Years later, he looks back at those days and they seem like a lifetime ago. Although he still is shunned by my brother and sister, he has me back and gets reminded of my love for him all the time. He has a wonderful wife who supports him in every way possible. She is also the "parent" w/ whom I can discuss my sex life, or lack there of it. He has 2 step-children and between them, they have 6 kids who all call him by "Grandpa". He is now 55 years old and the happiest that he has ever been.
I just got off the phone w/ him and I was telling him about JWD, the Toronto Apostafest, and all the friends from here that I have made (in person and on-line). He asked me to pass a message from him to every one of you. He said that no matter what stage of recovery you are in, enjoy your life. You may feel that things are horrible, that no one cares, and that the WTS has taken everything from you. We all go through that stage, but things get better and we all come out of it. He said that you have our whole lives ahead of you and be thankful that you chose to leave when you did. You will never regret your decision. He also said that he loves all of you and hopes that you all find happiness, no matter where it is. Your life is what you make of it!!!!