This thread has touched me so much. I'm not sure why, perhaps because I can relate to the stories.
My parents were pretty much inactive when I was a kid. However, my very devout JW grandmother lived with us, so birthdays and holidays out of the question. My Father still believed in the doctrines, he just didn't go to meetings. My Mom, well, she always disliked the WTS. After the political DF'ing(he was reinstated 5 years later) of my Dad, her dislike turned to disgust and bitterness.
As for the holidays. I remember in 4th grade our school putting on a Christmas concert. My class sang "Deck The Halls". My DAD even came to watch me. Go figure! My childhood was always such a contradiction! No birthday parties (I always ate the birthday cupcakes if some kid's Mom brought them for our class), but come and watch me sing in a Christmas show. Still, we didn't not celebrate Xmas until many years later. And even then, NO TREE. My Dad just couldn't cross that line. So, as a teenager, we would have presents wrapped in Xmas paper put in the corner of the living-room. How did he rationalize it? He used to say that there was nothing wrong with exchanging gifts, we just happen to do it the same day that everyone else celebrates Xmas! It makes me chuckle now that I think about it.
My Dad and his insane logic!
When I was 18 and my sister was 14, we decided we wanted a tree! We went to my Dad and asked him if it was okay. He thought about it for a few days and reluctantly gave us approval (after much begging) for a small tree. So, with my own money, I bought this tiny little "charlie brown" tree. Then, I had to buy ornaments. We didn't have anything. No stand, no lights. That little tree cost me a fortune. However, we did have a tree.
The next year, my parents had separated and were in the process of a divorce. That year, my Mom, my sister, and I went all out. Big tree, baking xmas cookies, and many wonderful decorations.
I guess all I can say is....I'm so glad I'm not a JW!
Andee
