As a young child, I remember my parents being divorced. At age 5 we moved in with our grandparents. My grandparents are JW's we lived with them and my mom till about age 11 then mom remarried. We then moved in with her and step-dad in brand new house, all through my childhood we had influence from JW grandparents, then when we moved in with mom and step-dad, as teenagers we drifted away from teachings of org. It wasn't till I was about 19, and married myself that I took an interest in org. myself, although I did become a dedicated and Baptized Witness, my husband did not, but he did support me in whatever I wanted. I was in org. for years. Then I started to see the light and decided to leave. I saw lack of love, compassion etc. within the org. To make long story short, I have been out for long time now, and never to return. I did belong to Bradford/Gilford congregation. I feel really sorry for those who have wanted to leave or want to leave and just do not know how to. However for many years I felt guilt, not for leaving, but for not even thinking how what I did by getting involved with the org. affected my husband and children, and what they missed out on all those years. To my husband of over 30 years I say "I love you dearly and thank you for sticking by my side through thick and thin."