Dear Mr. And Mrs. Flipper
First I wish I could give you both big hugs!!! It reminds me SO.....much of when my parents 1st left the organization, about two years before I would listen to anything they tried to share with me. I distinctively remember telling my daughter who was then about 10 NEVER to leave Jehovah or his organization, even if something happened to her father or I and we stopped loving Jehovah. ( I sadley equated loving God to loving the organization and did not believe you could have one without the other.) This was said in a very heartelt conversation I had with her after she caught me crying because of my great sadness in losing my parents to Saten. (So I then thought.)
I often think of how greatful I am that she was so young, even though she was very mature being a only child and very knowledgeable regarding JW doctorine at that age, that I could undue and reteach her how her Father and I had been lied to ourselves. Had she been a grown adult I fear we too could be in your situation. So my heart truely goes out to you!!
It took me forever to finally come around to listen to my parents. ( I know you have talked with them at length recently, Rockhound and Sweet Pea.) They have probably told you how difficult it was, and how one of their 5 children are still in and refuse to acknowledge them even when in the same grocery line with only a cart between them. My heart just aches for the pain my brother has inflicted upon them!!
These are the same parents that protected us, provided for us, sacraficed EVERYTHING for us, and who had NEVER lied to us, and yet we doubted them and were scared to listen to them. I feel ashamed that it took me two years to finally listen to those who loved me most in the world. We were in a cult and were completely brainwashed!! In fact I often tell my parents they just trained me TOO good!! In the JW ways that is! So please know others feel your pain and love you both. Please don't give up on her though. I am so greatful my parents didn't give up on me!!! And they are hopeful that one day their son will come around too. It may take much more time, but I gaurentee in the back of her mind all the "crying wolf" the organization does will eventually take it tole and perhaps enough so for them to wake up. Hang in there!!! HUGS to you both!!
Sincerely,
Lady Liberty
