Julia,
I experienced the same emotions for decades...I wish instead I listened to reason and left long ago. Of course I would lose all my friends, but I quickly realized I had no friends within the "brotherhood". I stopped going to the meetings suddenly and I didn't get one phone call from my friends...of course they would tell my wife to say "hi" or that they "miss" me. Then a year later 2 elders came to my door unanounced with their uniform suit and tie and bible in hand. I told them to leave me alone. One of these elders is the hugger type...he even kissed me on the ckeeks at every meeting...Now I realize this meant absolutely nothing since he never even made an attempt on his own to find out what was going on with me. He to my door because of his sense of duty for the Watchtower and not love towards me!