When your're a fader and you've got a lot of family still in a yearly trip to the KH for the Memorial is in order.
I'm learning that if you have family still in and you try to keep any kind of relationship with them, you'll never have a complete fade. There is going to be some sticky situations, one of the stickiest being the Memorial. It's amazing how going to that one meeting a year will keep the wolves at bay. But miss it and they take it personally, as if you tried to stab their god in the heart.
So, I'll be going. Part of me is dreading it, part of me is looking forward to being the outcast, the rebel. The good part is that I'll see some "friends" I haven't seen in a while, probably have a good chat with a few, maybe even go out to dinner afterwards.
Going to the KH once in a blue moon can be reaffirming to our decision that the JW religion and lifestyle is whacked. The cultthink and cultspeak stand out when looking in from where we are.
It can also empower us against those who sought to lord it over us previously. The last two meetings that I've been to, both Memorials, people tried to be condescending and "guilt" me back to the meetings. My tolerance for that is very low and while in the past, I sucked it up and endured it as a good little dub, now I speak my mind and don't allow anyone to try those tactics on me. It has caused more than one person to avoid me when I show up. Fine with me.
edited to add: the worst part is going to be missing the NCAA basketball championship game. At least my team got knocked out early and I won't miss seeing them play.
