Why I called my parents 'jackasses'

LDH

* http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/forum/thread.asp?id=15355&site=3

In the above thread I referred to my parents as 'jackasses' and even 'nitwits'.

I was taken to task by a dear friend who read my words and was hurt by them!

So I will attempt to explain myself without making any apologies, because he was right--I should not have referred to them in that manner.

Gozz, your words to me were on target. You said:

If memory does not fail me, you twice referred to your parents in a manner which I consider beneath you. What've they done to you? They're your parents, okay. But you referred to them as dumbasses and nitwits, I hope I remember right. Why? It's beyond you, I mean, beneath you... I hope you're not doing what I'm thinking

Now, by using such words for Jehovah's Witnesses, you fall into the same pit with a number of people who cricize the organization. You're verbally attacking the victims of the religiously imposed oppression.

You are right, and I am wrong. I was/am very frustrated that my parents won't see the light about the 'truth.'

The subject came up because the CO visited their cong. last week, and here sits my mother recovering from major surgery. With all they've done for the CO, do you think he or his wife could be bothered to ask if SHE needed any help? HELL NO. Instead, they did what they always do. Headed to the Outlet Malls with my parent's charge cards.

The fact is, every time I talk to my parents when these parasites roll through town, I get outraged.

Not because it isn't their money or they can't do what they want with it. I am furious that in their highly intelligent brains, they believe they are 'giving the firstfruits to Jehovah.'

I have a long battle ahead of me.

Sorry, Gozz, you were right.

I stand chastised.

In all my life, there stands out ONE, yes ONE, who attempted to repay my parents for their kindness.

Arthur and Maybelle Stevens, when they had their apartment (which for an elderly white couple in the Hood, they must've had faith in Jehovah) invited my whole family over for dinner one night. Maybelle served soup with a good loaf of bread. It wasn't what they served that mattered, it was that they realized people like my parents were going over and above the call of duty and were attempting to recognize and thank them.

I hate seeing my parents get used this way.

Lisa

Ranchette

LDH,

When I saw this I didn't think any less of you.I knew you were just very frustrated and didn't really want to show disrespect towards them.

I feel equally frustrated at my parents although for different reasons but still related to the JW mindset.
Hang in there.

Ranchette

waiting

Howdy Lisa,

We all get frustrated with our parents, and those who we feel mistreat or take advantage of them. No matter how mad we get at our parents.

Arthur and Maybelle Stevens, when they had their apartment (which for an elderly white couple in the Hood, they must've had faith in Jehovah) invited my whole family over for dinner one night.

To be honest, in the 30 yrs as being a jw, knowing many people in different congregations - I've never heard of an experience like this. I've never heard of a CO and wife giving materially (soup and bread) to jw's. Nor have I heard of them entertaining other jw's.

They must have been special. Well, it would do well for anybody named Maybelle to be special, don'tcha think?

Sounds like you have good parents - hope your mother is feeling better.

waiting

LDH

Yes, Waiting, they were special. Maybelle had to wrap Arthur's legs every morning with some kind of tape, just so he could walk. (They were in their 70's 15 years ago) She went blind towards the end of their circuit work--I wonder if/how the Society provided a place for them to stay. They stayed in the Circuit work for about three years --with Maybelle being blind--and then I thought it was loyalty to Jehovah, now I wonder if it's that they had no where to go.

And Maybelle LOVED her Knickerbocker beer, which was/is impossible to find. But my parents ALWAYS found a way to have some for her. Arthur LOVED ice hockey (we were scandalized--LOL--thought it much to violent for JWs).

They were ALWAYS interested in us kids, unlike the Gwiazdowskis who acted like we were a nuisance in our own house, or the Novaks, who didn't speak to me for the three years they served the circuit. ( I had just been reinstated, and was living back at home.) Literally, they didn't have shit to say to me for three years. And like a dumbass, here I was, working single parent, giving them money!

They, like every other CO/DO, got carte blanche at our house.Since we shared the Hall with another cong, to 'make it easier' on them, they just stayed with us for the two whole weeks. What a joy. [8>]

I learned a lot from my parents about generosity, but dammit, I know when to quit giving, too. I'm just sick of seeing them get used.

Lisa

openminded

I am not quite so understanding with my parents. I don't even return their phone calls any more. At age 28 I have informally divorced myself from them. And they still don't get it. They just want things to be "normal".

They robbed me of what I love(organized sports). They went out of their way to make sure I did not fit in at school(socially). They did a poor job of providing for my physical needs(we were on welfare/foodstamps as kids) while at the same time spending time and money for the WTS. They did not help me plan or attend college. They had/have very little respect for each other. They live 2000 miles away. I found out at age 27, by my brother, that I was adopted by my dad when I was 1 yr old(the entire extended family knew except me till just last year).

I do not respect or trust my parents.

Tell me what I owe them and why. -OM

I feel like by being the "better person", I would be letting them off the hook for being butthead parent. So I simply ignore them.

Why I called my parents 'jackasses'

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