I used to have a lot of jw gatherings at my home and it's been the one thing I did miss since our fade. Although I had some nonJW contacts in my life, I always held them at arms length and never really invited them to my place. Well, I've opened up to this group over the last year about the issues with pedofiles within JW world, and the internal/external shunning policy. These girls have become the most wonderful group of women in my life. They are unconditional friends who have truly been there for me and know that friendship is supposed to be reciprocal (a sore spot in jw world, as many will take but not give).
Anyway, we had a blast Last night. Made Martini's, watched chick flicks and shared many laughs. If I could ever get photos to post on here I would add them.
To any current JW's reading this, give the nonJW people in your world a fair chance. Find activities you like, join clubs, volunteer...you'll meet great people and see how beautiful life is and that it's meant to be lived now...not some unknown time in the future. Life is so much better when you open your mind and give up black/white thinking.