I ran into a JW...

by AuldSoul 4 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  AuldSoul

  So, with my current job I am frequently in different towns all over the state of Georgia. At a Klassix burger joint in Donalsonville, GA many miles from my home, I saw a JW I recognized from conventions, etc.

  I have always been one to strike up conversations with everyone standing nearby (much to my wife's discomfiture, but she wasn't around to shame me) so I said, "Don't I know you?"

  He looked at this 220 pound, grinning, bearded grizzly bear and it was clear he didn't know me.

  I said, "Aren't you Mr. Wors[deleted]?" (a long-time elder)

  With a shocked look, he said, "Yes."

  I said, "I thought I recognized you! I'm D[deleted] Harper's boy. I recognized you as soon as I saw you. How are you?"

  "Fine, fine. Just fine. Yeah, I've known your daddy a long time. I know him very well."

  I shook his hand and clapped a hand to his shoulder and said, "Well, it was good seeing you. You take care, okay?"

  "Okay."

  I am sure he has no idea what to make of me. But I was just being myself. The horror he would have felt if he'd known I was disassociated didn't strike me as funny until I was back in my car. I was just being a human to another human.

  And isn't that really what they try so hard to avoid...being human?

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
• 

  Seeker4

  "I was just being a human to another human."

  I think about this idea a lot as I go about my day. I'm a really friendly guy, and people see me and smile, say hi.

  Yet when I run into some of my former best friends, people who had me in their wedding parties, who shared some of their most joyous and saddest times with, these folks have to pretend I don't exist.

  It's just the oddest thing - to avoid being human.

  S4
• 

  uwishufish

  Hey AS what you said as a side note in your thread hit home for me.

  (much to my wife's discomfiture, but she wasn't around to shame me)

  The last time she corrected my speech, I mentioned to her that I didn't appreciate it. And I wouldn't be at this house for her to do it much longer. I don't expect her to change though. Thats why I moving out.

  Sorry to ramble.

  UWUF
• 

  AuldSoul

  uwishufish,

  I am sorry it brought up something painful for you, it is difficult to feel trapped in a relationship with someone who doesn't seem to appreciate you.

  In our case it is just an endearing quirk of our relationship that we laugh about. She is incredibly shy around strangers, and very self-conscious. I am at ease around people and tend to view strangers as friends I haven't met yet. It is the source of much anguish for her, I was mostly joking about her shaming me. Anyone who knows me can tell you that shaming me is no easy task.

  Respectfully,
  AuldSoul
• 

  uwishufish

  Thanks.

  UWUF