October 7th Ex-JW gathering in San Francisco

by Stacey 33 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  ashitaka

  Pat,

  My cover is just fading away. I thought it the best was to go, without any fanfare. I grew a nice beard and people who see me at the shopping center look at the devil when they see my face-i mean, there is a visible recoil. I expected it because at one point I participated in such behavior. Now, I'm just 22, but I sometimes think my marbles are going caca. I hate talking about it because another friend who "left" thinks we should just forget about it and think about God in our own way and forget the past. It feels a little lonesome, still, as though I never left, because I can't get close to people who don't understand, and I certainly can explain myself to a JW. It's a bizzarre thing.

  I don't know.

  Thanks for the messages, I am definitly reading them. Thank you.

  Ashitaka

  p.s. you know, I almost signed my real name-oy-lol
• 

  Deacon

  Your real name is oy-lol?
• 

  AlanF

  His real first name is Olive.

  AlanF
• 

  Mum

  Hi, Stacey. I'm in Reno, so I can probably make it. I'll see if I can get my daughter to come up from Las Vegas as well, but it's not as easy for her.

  Sounds great!

  Mum
• 

  Billygoat

  I'm so jealous! I want to come too, but you're too far away. Hrmph.

  Pouting...
  Andi
• 

  Introspection

  Hi Ashi,

  Yeah I can understand how you feel, I myself am not into rehashing the JW past so much. In fact, I've forgotten a good deal of it. But even when I talk about it, I no longer identify with it. I go to one of the support groups and hang out here, but I guess in my case it's kind of because I don't do a lot of social activities anyways and the thing on the 7th is definitely social. I even went out to dinner with an elder and another guy I used to live with the other week, of course I gotta be careful what I say.. (I plan to have a little talk with the other guy alone :) I no longer have "bad memories" per se, because though I remember all that happend it doesn't affect my present life in that the emotions come back and overwhelm me or anything like that. I went out with them because I have no fear that they will push any buttons, but actually I'm trying to be careful so as not to alienate them because I'm aware of their belief system.. They haven't asked anything like do I still believe in this and that so I just won't volunteer that, I'm trying to be "subtle" as they say. But frankly, that isn't my focus either. I'll do it when I have time for it.
• 

  dannyboy

  Count me in as a "will try to get there".

  --Dannyboy
• 

  AlanF

  I just found out that while I'm in Santa Clara the week of Monday Oct. 1 through Friday Oct. 5, I'll have several evenings free, most likely Tuesday and Friday, but it'll depend on what happens business-wise. If anyone from the area would like to try to get together, please email me.

  In any case I'll see you all on Sunday.

  AlanF
• 

  Introspection

  Hey by the way.. What's everyone bringing? I think I have to stick with some basics that I can buy like chips and drinks etc, you guys probably don't want to experiment with my cooking just like I don't want to.. Although I've been able to get lucky making an avocado mousse.
• 

  lisaBObeesa

  Maybe......I will be there.........Maybe.

  --LisaBObeesa