Hi there Gumby my man,
I totally hear where you're coming from, I had a few times in the past thought about contacting my ex housemate who is still an active dub. I had known her since I was 13y/o, and we lived together for over 4 years in Melbourne a few years or so back. We were really close, and she was the best housemate I've ever had. We're very different people though, and I knew that once I decided to leave the org that it essentially meant that we no longer had a connection to eachother, except through history. That's the reason why I wasn't totally cut when she moved out of our apartment. I knew that I was close to her on account of our connection in the org, and as sad and unneccessary it was that we should have to part, I just accepted there and then that that's the way it had to be.
I really honestly think that when you have people in your life like that, that they know in their heart of hearts how you feel about them. So on account of that I just thought it was best just left where it was...
Having said that though!! A couple of months ago I contacted an old JW mate of mine that I was really close to as a teenager. I had heard that there was a chance that he was no longer active, so I thought I'd take a punt at it. It turns out that he's recenty gone back to the org, had been inactive for a while, and his now engaged to be married at the end of the year. He was really supportive and respectful of my position and stance on things, but at the end of the day it was clear that we had taken very different paths. To be honest I found the whole thing pretty emotional and confusing, and even though I don't regret contacting him, I can only suggest to others considering doing it, to just hang off until such a time as you figure out what it is that you expect from it, because the chances of being disappointed are pretty high.
I think it's usually just passing moment of nostalgia that inspire those sorts of feelings, which is totally normal, but I think from personal experience that in most situations it's just not really worth it.
Cool post Gumby man :)) frog x