Since I last posted here, some wonderful blessings have come my way! My oldest son who I shunned in 1981 and who has since cut me out of his life....has finally "come around" and we are making some REAL headway towards being in each other's lives again. He has restored an old 1933 Ford jalopy and asked me if I wanted to go for a ride in it with him!
This may not sound like much to many folks....but if you knew how he has avoided me for so many years since I left the WTS....you would know what a huge step this was! He actually hugs me now when he sees me at other family members homes....he used to head the other way. It definitely feels so good and warms my heart to see this improvement and the change in his attitude!
There were several nonJW family members that took sides in our difficulties and were offended at me for the WTS-approved way I treated my son for so many years.....and they too have been a bit more open and friendly to me as well. I was invited to my grand daughter's college graduation party a few weeks ago and things went very nicely....not one snotty remark or dirty look....so it looks as if the worst is over. Frankly...I can't blame them for how they feel...shunning IS cruel and horrible....and I did DO this for many years.
Another son that has been estranged from us all....has come back to live in this area....and we have all made an honest effort to make a new start with him too. What a DIFFERENCE it is to not be worried about who is coming by to visit and who will leave if someobody else is there, who can eat dinner with another person, etc, etc all these "leftovers" from the WTS book of ethics....is finally gone. We have only one left in the clutches of the WTS and she has cut off ALL communication with ANYONE in the family that is not a JW. SHE is the only one, so it kind of narrows it down.
She has no idea of what the little ones are doing, the cousins and nephews and nieces and their great accomplishments, hobbies and dreams...or anything else that is happening with the rest of the family....by her choice. How terribly sad that is....to allow allegiance to men in Brooklyn dominate (and waste) her life. She will not know the great strides we have made AS A FAMILY to overcome the nasty traces and peculiar teachings that the WTS has left on us and we can finally come together and enjoy one another as PEOPLE!
There have been many other wonderful little things that have come my way, that I would have thought impossible a few short years ago. Too many to mention, but all so appreciated! My health has not been terrific....but it HAS allowed me to embrace life and enjoy things to even a greater degree. I am not in any pain and that is a blessing in and of itself! I take one day at a time and have more peace of mind and comfort than I ever did my entire 30 years as a JW. For those that do not know, I have accepted Jesus as my personal Savior and have developed a relationship with him. It was a long time in coming and has made a tremendous difference in my approach to life now. I try not to dwell on the decades I wasted serving the WTS.
On the eve of my 67th birthday...a little reflection that I just HAD to share with those who know me here on JWD. It's always nice to share the GOOD news in our lives!
hugs,
Annie
