It took almost 3 years after we quietly left our last meeting (memorial 2008) before anyone came looking for us. After nearly 25 years raising our family in the same hall and it was as if we didn't exist anymore.
That happened about a year ago but yesterday the boys and our daughter in law were here and were all having a late breakfast and lounging around in our robes an P.J's having a nice morning. We were sitting at the kitchen table looking out the sliding glass door at one of those summer rains where it just buckets down all of a sudden. We heard a knock at the door and the pooch started barking. I opened the door to see "Bill" and "Mary" a 50ish couple we used to be friends with at the Hall,huddled under an umbrella. They are really sweet people and we used to go to dinner with them and visit their home sometimes. Their kids and ours were friends etc. We invited them in and offered them a cup of tea. It was so nice to see them and we had a nice long chat, getting all caught up with their kids and jobs etc. I asked them if they'd like something to eat or some more tea but they said they should be going because the car group is waiting. I had no idea there was other people sitting in the car out in our driveway. They must have been at our house 45 minutes before they mentioned this.
Bill said " We really came by to give you this." He handed me a brochure that said something like " How Would You Like to Wake up Happy and Positive Everyday ?" Then he said " It's an invitiation to the District Assembly...it's open to anybody." Mary looked away really fast and she sort of blushed.
I just glanced at it and set it down and said " Ok thanks" but I was supressing a smile. Did he actually think that I would think I couldn't come to the assembly without an invitation or that he needed to remind me that anybody (even wicked old me) can attend? It was sort of awkward...I wanted to say "Now that I don't attend those depressing meetings, I do wake up feeling quite positive each morning" They are kind people and I didn't have the heart to say what I really was thinking but I could tell his wife knew. I was glad they saw us all together and viewed the cozy scene of a family enjoying a leisurely breakfast together. I think JW's think those who leave live lives of emtyness.
...OUTLAW