My favourite uncle died about two years ago (non-witness) and my mother couldn't tell me This year (Valentine's Day as it happened) another uncle died (92) and I found out by reading the 'hatch, match, despatch' section of the local newspaper on-line of where I used to live. I'm furious, as I would've liked to have paid my last respects to them both.
Earlier today I went round to the Cathedral Square of the city where I work for some lunch and I had the misfortune to sit near to an Ol'Boy witnessing to some people who were too polite to respond. He kept going on about truth. It was more than I could stand and I went into total anti-witness mode.... . So, in front of these others, I asked him just what is truth? Hmmm... interesting.
His take on any single thing was that Satan had got hold of me. I said, "there are some Church people over there (by the Cathedral Portal) who say the same about you!" He was on about 1914 and the signs of the times... nothing ever been like it before. "What about the Bubonic Plaque throughout Europe? What about Genghis Khan and his march/conquest across Asia". Apparently, I'm not to believe all that! "Satan's tricks"
An eye-opener to these other people! I then couldn't hold back from expressing my disgust that my mother, sister and daughter are unable to talk to me and yet 'you' don't break up families! He must be an elder cos I mentioned about the UN scandal and the letters that were circulated at that time. He said he would look into it as he had access to them all.
I tried the well known "millions now living will never die' got changed to "millions now living may never die" idea. He completely missed the notion the Society changed it to suit their stance. His response, "Quite true, millions may never die" - FUTILE!
Still, I felt better - and the couple who he had 'cornered' thanked me and walked off! Just wish I could've given it a bit more thought and constructive approach to refuting his claims rather than the impromptu rebuttal he got from me.
Oh... and I never left off reading stuff here - just been trying to fall back and recapture my heart and mind.
[Edited... adding 'earlier today' rather than 'a while ago']