littlemillcreek
JoinedI was a jw from 1978-2001 in the Kersey and Emporium Congregation of Elk County Pennsylvania. I raised 4 children, 2 who were baptized and were df'd as teens and two who were never baptized. I got wiser with age and didn't push them into it. My children are now 30, 28, 23 and 20 and we are getting along well despite the trauma of being jw's. We are all healing in our own time and way and are thankful to have each other as a support network. I have 4 grandchildren and my adult children are making up for all the lost years through their children. We embrace and celebrate each birthday, holiday and cherish every holiday as a time for our family to be together. I found many trusting friends who accept me unconditionally. It's just not true that JW's are the only people who are moral, honest and sincere. I attend a Methodist Church on occasion, but won't ever be a member of an organzied religion again. I'm also a survivor of incest, child abuse and abandonment and have been through quite a few years of counseling. I divorced, remarried and am now living the life of my dreams, homesteading on 4 acres of land with my friend, raising goats, chickens, ducks and gardening. It's been a little over five years since escaping JW's and when I see many people who I was close to I truly feel ESCAPED is the perfect verb. For awhile I wanted to stay away from anything to do with JW's, including this board, but now I feel strong enough to face it for what it is. I'm hoping I can be a support person to folks who want out also. I appreciate all the support and information I've recieved from this board.