Appreciating Neighbors never an option as JW

by restrangled 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  restrangled

  I just had a wonderful conversation with one of my neighbors who's husband is fighting prostate cancer.

  It is a great feeling to connect with those who live near by or next to you, and find ways to support each other, finding laughter and solace.

  This was never really allowed with JWs. We were always cold to our neighbors unless preaching work could be done.

  My parents had an odd situation in that their next door neighbor lost a son to an accidental gun shooting. The police were aware of my brother's death many years previously and called on my mother to comfort her next door neighbor, actually asking her to be there when they announced her son was dead at age 12.

  My mom had no problem with that but since they had little to no social contact over 10 years it was difficult and probably felt icy.

  HOW SAD!

  With my neighbor, we are sending each other prayers and made plans to meet up anytime we get to feeling crazy~

  How nice is that?

  r
• 

  chelleadam

  I think maybe a lot of us still have problems with relationships. I still don't relate well to people at times. I do okay on the internet, I guess, but one-on-one with people is hard. As a witness all your relationships to people tend to be cold. I didn't really love the people at the KH, and I wasn't allowed association with anyone else. Now it takes me a long time to get comfortable with anyone.
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  gymbob

  We had great neighbors for years when I was a dub, they would invite us over for barbeques and swim but we would always make up some lie about how busy we were and won't be able to make it.....can't be sociable with non-believers ya' know....

  Now I visit with all my neighbors, invite them over and know all their names. GYMBOB
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  restrangled

  Yeaaaa! and good for you Gymbob.

  r.
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  theinfamousone

  oh i remember back in the day... i wasnt allowed to talk to any non believers... i mean satanists... oh wait, no i meant real people.... thats possibly a part of the reason i left... always loved people, and hated discriminting!! things are great now

  the infamous one
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  sass_my_frass

  Isn't it liberating to be talking with somebody you realise that you like and that you can relate to, and not having to think to yourself 'oh if only I can get them to believe, then they won't be eaten by birds after Armageddon'?