These stories reminded me of how my mom had one dress for summer and another for winter. She had this wonderful wardrobe for 3 consecutive years. Yeap, things were pretty tough for us when I was growing up as a JW.
Whilst living in Selma I had opportunity to go for a job interview, and the lady hiring was 3rd generation JW. I declined the job, but did find out that she was in need of what my husband and I were hoping to establish...a community center that provided clothing, etc. In the end I told her that the very people she abhor's (nonJW churches), are the very one's that are helping moreso in any community.
Too, I remember as a young JW if not for an older lady in the congregation there would have been plenty of times our family would not have eaten. She was like a grandmother to us, and a good friend to my mother. I think those stories are rare indeed. If not for the wordly' single parent families that shared a pot of food and whatever else, things would have seemed even worse. Guess that's why I'm for the underdog most times. That is unless they are known alcoholics, drug addicts, gamblers who refuse help with their addication. JW's taught me well how to walk away. But the children in those situations...that's another story.
Granny