We had one certain mama's boy who made sure he was dressed up properly, especially in the winter. She'd make sure he had his "rubbers", scarf, hat and gloves. She'd kiss him at the door before he'd leave and wave until he got into the car for field service. He was 40 years old at the time. I understand his mother is still alive and the ritual continues.
I know this person.
He really needs a friend, Minimus.
He is more isolated and lonely than you could ever know. After so many years, this becomes "normal" because being so isolated, he is not even aware that other people live very differently.
He wasn't allowed to have friends. Often, he did not "feel good" (an excuse to refuse to go to meetings), then he was punished by not being allowed to socialize even with the few JW friends he had.
All those years he was never allowed to have any independence. His self esteem was beat down to shreads and he was made to choose between family loyalty and leaving home. He was advised that if he left home he would be turning his back on his family. The family needed his income, etc etc. (Not true, but was a power play.)
Of course his mother still picks out his clothes and gets his stuff together for him. She is the product of an abusive elder husband who trained her from an early age that her place was submission and serving the alpha (and beta) male. Waiting on and serving the men is all she has been allowed to do with her life. She really believes that she takes 'pride' in doing this for them. She has been Stepfordized to believe that this is her ultimate joy in life.
Minimus, don't run the other way.
Take him under your wing.
He needs a friend.
