by whyamihere 19 Replies latest jw friends
Dear JWD,
As I ponder on how many we've lost, I can't ignore how much we've gained. Those that are left behind, I feel sorry for, they'll never experience anything "real."
I don't miss what I left behind and I am lucky that some have made it to the other side with me.
Let us be thankful for what we have today and tomorrow.
To cheer this place up a bit - please share with everyone what you're thankful for after surviving the cult:
Bri and I made it!(one of my best friends growing up)
While it appears I have lost my mother, I have my brother, sister, hubby and kids. In addition to an extended family that cares for me.
I have made true friendships right before and after leaving.
I am grateful my children are no longer under a cloud of fear, or that they stand out as odd at school.
I am also glad my 2 yr old tells everybody he sees "Merry Christmas".
I am grateful to this board for the love and support they have provided my self and others like me.
Merry Christmas everyone!
momz
Thats such a lovely post Brooke.
Im thankful for my mum, for her love and support without which i couldnt have made it this far.
Im thankful that have left the cult behind and have finally started living, really living.
Im thankful that i no longer have to feel guitly or not good enough.
I have learnt so much this past year and although i have had many ups and downs i wouldnt change a single thing. It has been a real learning curve and im grateful for my experiecnes because they have helped me grow.
Oh lord God Jehovah, please let me be 30 just one more time, and be allowed to hang with Whyamihere, Bri and her friends... amen!
THat said, i was hanging with my bluegrass buddies a few weeks ago, it was 6AM and we were still jamming, and I didn't have to stop and get ready to go out in service... That made me so damn happy.
I am thankful my kids never have to stand outside the hall while the national anthem is played at school. I am thankful, they have birthdays, christmas, halloween, and have normal friendships with kids their age not based on religious beliefs but who they "like" as people.
I am thankful I am not limited to a dating pool of men who consider whether or not you are submissive enough to make a fine christian wife. GAG!!!
I am thankful that for the first time in my life, I have friends who love me for me. Not because we share a common religious belief or set of ideals. We respect each other's differing beliefs and ideologies and I can be 100% myself with them. Something I could never do, with my witness friends. Oh, and I am thankful I can test drive a man before I have to buy.
Good thread, Brookie!
I have gained -- a greater sense of reality, friends who don't judge me based on factors set by some religious organization, a truer sense of freedom and responsibility, much time in my week.
I have lost - a judgmental attitude, conditional friends, all sense of connection to JW's (other than an occasional admonition from my dad to go back).
Because of leaving the JW's, I was able to discover the friendship and intellectual stimulation that this board has provided.
There's more, but these are some of the important things for which I'm thankful now.
I'm thankful for everything.
I almost wasn't here to enjoy it.
Nice topic, Brooke.
Thanks to me for having the common sense to avoid the invitation to that annual meeting in April. Could have been step 1 into the cult.
I'm thankful to have a place like this! Where we can get together with people who understand.
And of course BEER!Oh and shots, cocktails.....etc
And of course BEER!Oh and shots, cocktails.....etc
LOL! With that being said - I am thankful for Las Vegas! I feel closer to God there! Can't you tell?
