Dear Diary,
Sad news from a friend in my home congregation. He told me that a mutual JW friend, and former Bible student of mine, recently had died. He was a few years older than I. Incapacitated prior to his death, he had difficulties that left him quite frustrated regarding his interaction with others as well as physical activity.
We studied very intensely in the mid-70s, and at the moment our study of the publication should end, we were slated to go DTD, per his request. I was mortified, as I was recently returned from Bethel, and my personal life was a shambles. This one little gem in my life - a study with an intellectual [he and his wife were teachers] - the morning spent in study, with lotsa food and coffee supplied by his hospitable wife, was going to readjust to a different and uncomfortable playing field for me: Field Service!
When we finished the book, he scheduled the usual study morning for FS in its place. I prayed for death. You know how you don't wanna wake up and then you find yourself always waking up in spite of it all? Reminds me of the Indian Chief in "Little Big Man" who lay down to die, awaiting the departure of his spirit, and waited....... rain hit him in the face - Oh! Forgot his words, but he knew he wasn't dead! Anyway, the day arrived, I was scared as H... as to how to train a newbie when I was so unsure myself. Didn't matter. He talked at all the doors. The unbridled enthusiasm of a convert.
We hadn't talked in years. He had a falling out with some brothers and I don't know much of what happened afterward. His outlook became quite jaded re: the JWs. Wish I knew more. So sad to lose a friend.
C...
