i left somewhat abruptly about ten years ago -- just up and moved across the country. i kept saying i'd come home soon, but never have, except for the (very) occasional visit. at some point i wrote a letter to my mom and told her that i wasn't interested in the religion anymore (i'd been a regular pioneer), and to please stop sending me the magazines and heartfelt pleas to go to the local hall. she gave elders in the area i'd moved to my address, and i hid so i wouldn't have to talk to them. she is now aware that i'm gay, and does *not* like my girlfriend, solely because she *is* my girlfriend, and i get the occasional email from her, mostly those ghastly "experiences" and anecdotes that are supposed to be encouraging. otherwise, i don't hear from her. three of my four siblings are out -- one is da'd, one df'd, one was never baptised, and the other is too young (12) to make her own decision yet. when we do talk, on rare occasions, we mostly talk about work, as they don't want to hear about my personal life. they are, needless to say, very short conversations. so i guess (short answer) they didn't react well, but they're not actively shunning me, either. there's a great deal of tension whenever we do talk. we'll see how things are when i go home for a visit later this year...
