by Faithful Witness 19 Replies latest jw friends
I posted a question here after I sent packages to my JW niece and nephew in December. I wasn't sure what the response would be.
Yesterday, I got an email that the packages were "undeliverable," and my money was refunded. I'm assuming they refused the delivery.
I hope I haven't made things worse for the kids.
The other package, which was a box of treats in a blue box, was reported as delivered and accepted.
I'm going to assume they ate it, but who knows.
Isn't it funny how they rationalise one but reject the other. It is a sad world they live in where generosity has to be scrutinised as to whether it is appropriate or not. I feel sorry for the children who did not get the gifts you so thoughtfully provided for them. Good for you that you tried.
You sent them at the same time via the same delivery service, correct? Why not contact the delivery service to see why they were undeliverable? There were some serious problems with UPS & FED-EX this season due to the huge volumes being moved. Maybe the problem was on their part? Just a thought. If they were refused, you know what they will accept now, and I hope you'll do that next time for the children's sake. Happy New Year! You have such a good heart, Faithful!
So the trick is blue wrapping paper with consumable gifts? I would write to Questions From Readers to get further clarification.
You can never go wrong by being kind and generous and making the effort to demonstrate you care.
The people who refuse kindness and generosity are saying something about themselves loud and clear.
Children are very smart about the practical side of life; it's not what people SAY that is true, but what people DO which is true.
Your act of gift-giving was true.
The deserve to sent stockings full of coal. Nah, coal is actually worth something. Send them stockings full of dog poop.
Even if it doesn't have an immediate affect, showing kindness and consideration is something that kids remember and will piece together later when they can make decisions for themselves.
It's not the gift itself, it's the act of giving and even if they send things back they cannot take back that act and what it means.
The food gift was delivered separately, from a different company. I received confirmation of delivery on December 18, and then an email telling me that the package was undeliverable, two weeks later. I wonder if they called UPS for a return pickup, or if they drove the packages back themselves.
Should I email my sister, and ask her what happened?
I'm not even sure the kids knew about the gifts. I am tempted to try again, timing my order so that they will be delivered on a Saturday. They will all come home from service, and see the gifts waiting for them on the porch.
I mentioned it to my mom today, and she seemed genuinely surprised and disgusted. I had asked her opinion beforehand, and I also emailed my sister to let her know they were coming, and what was inside the boxes (a kitten calendar and a building set).
I've wrestled with this idea since we started celebrating Christmas with my kids 3 years ago. I made the comment today to my mother, that I decided to err on the side of giving, instead of excluding the kids.
Oh well, I did try. Maybe they got and ate the treats, and then felt so guilty for it, they couldn't bring themselves to open the gifts. Or, the parents ate the food and never told the kids about it.
I will never understand the JW mind games, with their ever-changing rules. Those poor, lonely kids.
Should I email my sister, and ask her what happened?
Yes I would. Someone has got to be normal in this crazy situation. I used to send book tokens to my nephews once a year and then my sister moved house without giving me an address. I know what you are going through but if you can be calm in an email I would, at least for your own peace of mind. The more we obey the rules of this cult the more control it has over our families.
