I haven't posted in 3 years. (I think) . My husband and I haven't gone to a meeting or memorial in 2 years. What a great feeling! I do not miss the hall. We faded as much as we could. I still have close family that attend, but they no longer ask us to come or discuss witness topics, unless we bring them up. My husband has not cut his hair since we quit going. He has long curly ringlets.LOL. he also got his ears pierced. I think he would have done these things when he was a teen, but due to the limitations of being an jw, he never felt free to express himself.
Our lives have changed so much and I love it. My husband coaches for our middle school football team. Our children are very active in sports,music, and our little community. Our son is student body president and our daughter is very creative and is very active in 4H.
I am amazed on how narrow my thinking was prior to leaving. I have allowed myself to get to know other people,be a part of my community. I feel blessed. My new friends welcome me with no value placed on how often I attend meetings,put in time, or how often I give talks. It is a freeing feeling.
Recently a brother who travels,stopped by our door. He obviously had heard about us and had met our jw family. He reminded me of a used car salesman. My husband was home. I was so happy he was. The face the brother made was very entertaining,when he saw my husband's long hair and earrings. But he gained his composure and began to talk. Unfortunately, he began to talk about how horrible the world is and how we can't trust anyone outside the faith. This upset me, as the language he used was so typical of a narrow minded witness. (Some witnesses have good hearts) I held my tongue and let my husband handle it. I was so proud of him. He let the brother know..... I don't know you.....you are saying very judgmental things about people you don't know. ......I meet people and base my trust of their actions. My husband then asked him to leave. Another brother was with him, whom we love. My husband told him that he is welcome to come back anytime.
It is Christmas now, we will be celebrating.
For those of you trying to get out.......it feels wonderful to feel free........ to be who I want to be.