I was in the first month of kindergarten on the night my parents had their first bible study with the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It was around October and would be my last Halloween, Christmas, and Birthday. I cherished those last memories though I can’t really recall my last birthday celebration as a child. Others on this site had regrets as a witness, such as loss opportunities, education, and the pursuit of a career, I have been able to break free at a young age to accomplish those tasks. What I can’t get back is the loss friendships from people I went to school with for 13 years.
I went to a very small school system as a child. My senior graduating class numbered around 43. Most of these students I started school with at age 5. I was never allowed to participate in any after school activities, even though elder’s children did band. I was a pariah from the beginning. I wouldn’t salute the flag or say the pledge of allegiance. I was made fun of by teachers and made an example of. This only solidifies the contempt my fellow students had for me. I would be sent to the library for birthdays and holiday celebration. I was a very skinny boy and had limited sports ability, but I could run and had great endurance. I would’ve liked to join the track program, but my non-witness father wouldn’t budge. He stated, “It’s too late because I didn’t allow your older sister or older brother do those things when I was studying, and it wouldn’t be fair to allow you”.
In high school I was just treated as non-existence. It is sad that being treated that way was an improvement. During graduation I listen to the Valedictorian speak about how great it was for us to live in a small town and know each other and develop lifetime friendships. I looked around to the 43 students on the stage and other than their name I knew very little about them and them the same about me. The saddest part is I was patted on the back by a few of the girls in class that night and wished me well. These were girls I sat by for 13 years and we never talked because they were taught by teachers, parents, and pastors I belonged to a cult. It wasn’t until three years later I realized they were right!