(((((singsongboi)))))
Rocky lost his dad to cancer last fall and it has been particularly hard for him to deal with this loss. He has never known anything but WT teachings. The disillusionment about promises of a paradise earth....not strong enough to outweigh the reality of mortality. He is a third generation JW, of course, now unofficial xJW (fade away). I suppose those who are still in don't face the reality until the death and dying is very, very close to them. Here where we live most of the elders do not attend memorial services/funerals for their own congregation members. Finding an elder to give a memorial talk is almost impossible. And then having the comfort from the congregation - well, they just don't seem to give a rip. My MIL has been a loyal JW for 50+ years, sacrificed so much for the organization. Yet when her husband passed away very few from the local congregation came to the memorial service...the service in the KH was well attended by mostly non JW relatives, close neighbors. Only a couple of JW families came out to the house afterward - and she's been in this area all this time, former pioneer, well known. I think it's because they can't face the reality of the false hope, broken promises, and the 'it wasn't supposed to end like this.'
I'm great at telling this story - I can commiserate with you but unfortunately cannot make the pain and confusion go away. Wish I could....
Warmest regards and sympathy - Mrs Rocky