Wow! I saw my sister last night, and she came as her old self!!

Faithful Witness

I went to watch my niece's orchestra recital last night. I knew my parents were coming, and was pleasantly surprised to see my JW sister and niece were there also. I don't think my family realized (nor did I) that this was a Christian homeschool music program.

I promptly hugged my niece and sister. I was relieved that she acknowledged me and treated me kindly. I made sure to sit next to her, and we joked around during the concert. I got a chance to talk to my niece also, and she told me about an in-school club that she belongs to. It was encouraging, and everything went pretty well.

There were a couple of awkward moments (like the opening prayer), but it was really nice to see my baby sister. There was no JW talk, and I got 3 bear hugs from my dad, telling me he loved me. I'm not sure if Mom passed on the message that I am "studying" again, or if my sister decided to be kind on her own, but I'm just happy to see her again.

Of course, my brother in law was not there... that was a relief. My sister could be herself, with her family, without his judging and controlling eye.

My mom says she is coming over on Friday.

I know they still belong to a cult, and will probably turn on me again... but I am basking in the moment right now, that they all spoke to me.

Band on the Run

I am so happy for you. My relationship with my sister is not ideal. I also have an outrageously controlling brother-in-law. It is nice that everyone behaved for a child. Did they perform Christian songs?

Zoos

EDIT: Nevermind

KateWild

Thanks for this experience, it's so nice to know about happy family experiences in spite of the WT indoctrination to shun. Perhaps by letting the JWs study with you you family may think you may come back. You may be able to use this to your advantage, and discuss some of the things you are challenging in your study with your family.

If you are very careful, you could say something like, "I asked about the calculation for 1914 and the answer I got didn't satisfy me, what do you think?"

But if your family aren't shunning you perhaps it's best not to rock the boat.

Kate xx

Found Sheep

You are stronger than me. I hate the hug, love when no other JW's are around and the shun when they are. Enjoy the moment if I were you i'd call her out if she treats you differently in "public".

Oubliette

FW: I know they still belong to a cult, and will probably turn on me again... but I am basking in the moment right now, that they all spoke to me.

I totally appreciate how you're feeling and the way you worded that.

I would feel the same way if I could talk to my family members still stuck in this cult. I don't even get little "breadcrumbs" of affection like you did.

It's very sad that this religion does this to people.

ABibleStudent

Enjoy those moments with your JW family's authentic personas, Faithful Witness! Those are great opportunities to laugh, remember other special moments, and possibly to ask them to join you in some fun outing(s) that will get them away from WTBTS meetings. Do what you can when you can to help their authentic personas grow stronger.

Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

Robert

Faithful Witness

I would have loved to have been a fly in THAT car on the way home: Grandpa is totally brainwashed, Grandma doesn't know what to do, Mom has never had a mind of her own, and the niece who really just misses her cousins, and has to be so confused...

I wonder what they said about me! haha... AND about the show itself. It was an orchestra concert, and the program had the title "Praise Him with Strings!" Next week, my other niece in the same family will be in a choir concert inside a (gasp) church... so obviously they won't go to THAT!

As far as I know, my sister doesn't take her kids to any church, and never talks about religion with me. There were no religious songs. They played classical & familiar pieces and some show/movie tunes. It was completely secular, except for the opening prayer. I saw my sister turning to my niece beforehand, but I was afraid I'd get busted peeking, if I opened my eyes to see if they were... not my business.

It was nice to be out with just "our" family. The absence of my brother in law, and the fact that we were in a public place, acting like a family again... it was a real treasured moment. It was nice to feel connected again, even just for an evening.

steve2

Let's hope you were not love bombed because they found out you were studying again.

talesin

That was very touching, FW. I'm glad you had such a lovely evening and I hope there are more treasured times in the future. That's something I miss, family stuff. It's so weird.

I love your avatar, that doggie looks familiar. So sweet! :))

tal

Wow! I saw my sister last night, and she came as her old self!!

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