I've been thinking a lot lately about the kids in my former congregation. I miss them the most. I was the sister who hung with the kids and took interest in them. At every meeting, I would walk into the hall and instantly I'd have about 2 or 3 little ones wrapped around my legs hugging me. I would bend down and scoop them up and we'd proceed to talk about their day. They were the best conversations I had at the hall.
At almost every meeting, there would be at least one kid who'd sit with me. I'd do the typical dub game where I'd have them keep a tally of how many times the speaker said Jehovah or Jesus' name. Come to think of it now, Jehovah always got a much higher score. Other than that, we'd draw pictures and doodle. Even if I didn't have a kid sitting with me, I'd still doodle. It was the only way I could pay attention.
On Saturdays at the service group it was the same thing. If there were kids in my group I'd work with one of them. We'd do some service and then go to the coffee shop and get sprinkly donuts.
And I made it a point to take the kids out and do things with them or go to their house and do non-jw stuff. I really hated the typical jw "fun" of sitting down and watching a wts DVD, although I did it if they wanted to. Usually though, I'd put on music and we'd dance around or I'd bring over paper and markers and we'd draw. Stuff normal kids like to do.
I even had some of these jw kids as clients. (I'm an Educational Therapist). One little baby I worked with had developmental delays and I just heard from my mom (still in the congregation) that this little guy is now walking. I wish I could see that! We went through so much together, him and I. His eyes lit up my heart at every meeting and I wish so much I could just see him again. Darn it. Now I'm crying.
I miss these children so much. I hope one day they'll look me up and ask me why I left the organization. I'll be so happy then.
tall penguin
Anyone else miss the kids at the kh?
by tall penguin 9 Replies latest jw friends
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tall penguin
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lola28
that made me laugh, and the answer would be nope.
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klinton
I so want to say something to make you feel better...but I can't think of what. I know where you're coming from...there are so many people I've missed over the years. I can say that I'm sure those kids remeber you. I remember sisters like yourself (are we allowed to name people in here?) from when I was young (and I'm 27 now), so I'm sure you still hold a special place in thier hearts too.
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Spectre
I was like that but it has been such a long time ago that I have all but forgotten.
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Effervescent
Have you ever thought of leading a Girl Scout troop or being a "Big Sister"? You sound like you would be FANTASTIC at it, and help a lot of little ones in the process!
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RichieRich
Quick anecdote.
My mother used to study with a lady who had the most mischevious little by ever. He was 2 or 3 and when they would come to the meetings, it always took mom and her study to keep the boy under control. The little kid would slip out of his seat into a standing posistion, and then fall on knees and crawl under the chairs to the back of the hall. It was so funny when he did it. One time, he started trying to slip out, and mom caught him by the back of his pants / his diaper. For some reason, the pants ripped, and so did the diaper. So he fell on his face (he was okay) and his little butt was hanging out. We all started laughing so hard, I think the whole meeting stopped.
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tall penguin
Effervescent, you suggested I check out being a Big Sister so that's what I did. I'm going to apply this week. I think it's a great idea. Thanks!
tall penguin -
Darth Yhwh
Good for you Tall Penguin. That's a great thing to do. You could really make a difference in someone's life and they're luck to have you.
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theinfamousone
i think i feel more sorry for them than i miss them,..... i remember what it was like to be sitting there, bored out of my mind, and hit, pinched or whatever just for whispering something to mom, or for wanting to go to the washroom.... i feel bad, cuz i know they must hate it as much as i did.... DAMN, POOR KIDS, they are gonna have to go through the same torment we all did to get out of the mind control cult!!!
the infamous one
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Effervescent
Tall Penguin- That's so awesome! Make sure you let us know how it goes!!! My sister was a "Big Sister" for awhile and had a GREAT time. I also led a Daisy Girl Scout Troop for a year until I moved and totally loved it. You'll be great!
Which leads me to remember how much I hated the only "volunteer work" which was allowed to me as a JW. You would think that "Saving Souls" would somehow be more fullfilling. I tell you what though, I knew the first time I volunteered for real charity/non-profit that I finally found what I had really been missing and looking for. To give people true help and hapiness is a great thing indeed!