Geez, the isolation started so young, didn't it?? I, too, remember that feeling of aloneness when having to be separate from the rest of my classmates during any type of bday or holiday celebration.
Mind, how awful your experience was! My dad was never a dub, but I had an aunt who would go to the meetings with us and be the disciplinarian (my mom was always looking for someone else to control us kids). Anyway, my earliest memories, prior to school age, are of late meetings and of course, I would fall asleep. My aunt would wake me (and my siblings) with a vicious pinch. Then, to keep us awake, we had to scoot forward to the edge of the chair and stay there. We'd beg to be allowed to relax back against the seat, but nope, coz then we'd just fall asleep again. So there'd be this line of wobbling children (we usually took up most of a row). It was pure torture!!! I can't for the life of me imagine treating my children like that, or any children for that matter.
My God that's awful! What a form of abuse inflicted by your aunt. Didn't anyone at your hall care about you kids? Or maybe they were too intimated by your mean old aunt!
The stuff that goes on inside Kingdom Halls (in the name of a loving Father??) geez.
GopherWhy shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense. Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Everything pertains to me on the board..assemblies, birthdays, holidays, the works.
I remember vividly when I was about six years old and I was sent to the library during my best friend at the time Jimmy's birthday. I watched from across the hall in the library where everyone was eating cupcakes and having a good time. I knew then and there that I would NEVER put my children through this, and even at that age it didn't feel right. Jimmy saved me a cupcake and put it in my desk for me. I ate it on the bus on the way home and my sister told on me. My mother didnt' really say anything....I think she knew having been raised a dub herself how painful it could be. Thing is, she's still there and I am now celebrating my 15th year of freedom.
I guess being in the library had its advantages....I turned into an avid reader and still love books. I think I have achieved a lot more than I probably would have since I have always felt like I had to prove myself.
It's so sad and I feel so sorry for all the children today.
You know, until I read your thread, I had completely forgotten that we did have one champion...there was an elderly sister who would absolutely GLARE at my aunt when she did these things. I think she may even have made comments under her breath, but loudly enough for us to hear, I'm not sure. Tracy would probably remember better than I, since, of course, she is the older of us.
But, yes, it was abusive. The really sad thing is that reading through these posts show that abuse comes in many forms and is so widespread in the Borg. I'm so happy that my kids and your beautiful daughter don't have to endure these things!!!
