I hate it when they make me cry!!

Scully

I thought I was pretty much immune to any JWs being able to tug at my heartstrings anymore.

Mr Scully and I were out shopping this morning, when someone called my name and then grabbed me and gave me a big hug. I hadn't seen her in over 15 years. Back then, she was a teenager and I was about 10 years older than her... but we hit it off really well and Mr Scully and I became really good friends with her and her parents. We moved away and lost touch - as so often happens with JW Friends™ - out of sight, out of mind - The Truth™ keeps us all so "busy".

Anyway, we chatted for about 15 minutes and did some catching up. One of her parents has been very ill for a couple of years and has undergone some rigorous treatments, all the while tending to the congregation responsibilities / assignments as usual. I was gutted to hear about how ill her parent was. Overall, it was awesome to see her again and to find out how her family is doing. We parted ways and once I was a safe distance away, I just started bawling in the middle of the store, because out of all the people we knew as JWs, these folks were just the cream of the crop, and they were people I really loved. They're honest, hard workers, loving, caring, sincere - the kind of people who truly embody the spirit of love and Christianity that I used to aspire to. They weren't the mean-spirited, dagger-tongued, competitive JWs we got to know elsewhere. If I could have picked a family to belong to, theirs would have been it.

And here I am, crying again.... .... because these are folks I genuinely miss... and because I know our previously enjoyed friendship would probably not withstand the rift between true-blue-JWs and ex-JWs.

candidlynuts

try to explain such a phenomenon to a regular therapist and they look at you like you've grown another head or something..

it really is a strange thing to happen. .how do we grieve? wheres the joy in reuniting? what NAME do we call the emotions that come with being an ex jw and meeting up with someone from that life? when did people become disposable? (good standing or ex jw.. the religion nurtures disposable people).. its so bizarre.. hugs skully. its so upsetting and so many of us, myself included, have gone thru those strange reunions too.

Stephanus

I hate it when they make you cry, Scully!

sosad

I am so sorry for you! But don't hate it when they make you cry - my Traditional Catholic Husband has often told me to "offer up" sadness or hurt - we never know what good it may do.

Also, the spirit that you showed this person may one day help her to remember that non or ex jw does not mean evil, vindictive frothing at the mouth apostate as she has been taught.

It sounds to me that you listened to her with sympathy if not empathy and left her with the emotional impact of many things swirling around in your head which means probably her's as well... She will go home and tell her parents and others...it will stick with her and maybe even some of them.

I say well done...who knows how this will ultimately play itself out.

Lady Lee

(((Scully))) hopefully we all knew JWs who were really good friends. Just because we believe something different doesn't mean the love disappears. And I think it is situations like yours today that help us remember there really were some great people that we lost in our lives

sass_my_frass

So sorry to hear it. Thanks for being here, Scully!

mariposa

I know exactly how you feel.

There's one family I was extremely close too that I think about quite a bit. They were the best, always trying their hardest and helping everyone they could with anything! Now that I have a little girl, I wish I could share her pics, funny things she does, everything....with the wife of the family (my best bud). She took care of kids occasionally and would be able to help me with all the child rearing questions I have. It doesn't make sense that she and her family still follow the society, I just don't get why they can't see it for what it is!

At least you got a moment to catch up and see your friend again even for a bit. Maybe it won't be the last time

Sunspot

hopefully we all knew JWs who were really good friends. Just because we believe something different doesn't mean the love disappears. And I think it is situations like yours today that help us remember there really were some great people that we lost in our lives

(((((Scully)))))

This post says it all.

hugs,

Annie

JH

I know what you mean Scully.... I also know very good JW friends that I don't see anymore. I don't know how they would react if we saw one another again...

cruzanheart

(((Scully))) It's a part of your life, my friend, and nothing will change that. My memories of the NICE people who are Witnesses are the same way: bittersweet.

Hugs,

Nina

I hate it when they make me cry!!

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