My wife recently had her baby shower for the up coming birth. Now that we have not been Witnesses for over six years, many of our relatives thought that we would not have much of a turn out. The reason they would think this, is for the most part we do not do much with them any more and thus they have no clue of what kind of social life we have beyond the days they knew us in the religion. Over the last few weeks, my wife's mother planned a separate baby shower for family. In doing so she was calling people and saying, "please come, as we don't think the other shower being thrown will have anyone at it ... since my daughter is out of the congregation" My wife caught word of this and knew exactly what her mother was doing. It is called playing stupid mind games. Have you noticed how the Witnesses, that we still know, like to play games with us. They want to make it seem that we are to be pitied for the life we have chosen and use every opportunity to act like we should feel shame in leading the life we lead. My wife and I have never been game players though, and when these things happen we just act like they do not exist or ignore the comments they are putting out to bait us. These games can be everything from, over explaining something happening at the meeting to try to spark our interest into a debate. To mentioning that someone we knew is dying, and they want nothing more then to see us return to the Kingdom Hall. All of these attempts have fallen on deaf ears though, yet they continue to toss around the thoughts when ever they feel the need too. If you have ever been around children much, then you know that they like to play games too. About a month ago we were baby sitting our two nephews and niece. They wanted to walk over to the neighbors to see if the other kids could play. It was getting late, and I knew the neighbors would feel the same, so I said "no." The children then left the room and next thing you know they are walking out the front door. I ask them what they are doing, and of course they said my wife said it was okay. Which was not really the truth, as all they said to her was "Should we wear our coats to go to the neighbors?" To which my wife said "Yes." Kids can be so smart in the games they play, yet often they forget that adults check the facts and catch them in the act. It does not seem to change as we get older either. We leave the religion and those relatives play their little games several times a year. So my wife had her baby shower yesterday, and her family one today. To the shock of many Witness relatives there were close to sixty people at her "friends shower" and only twelve at the "family shower" that was designed to save the day. My wife's mother pulled her aside and said, "I had no idea you knew so many people, and were so liked." To which my wife simply said, "next time you should just ask." Which as we both know, will never happen. As Witnesses like to play those games with our life. So do you notice this too, with those you know still in the religion? Do they still play those games? When they do, and they get caught. Do you get that same look I got from my two nephews and niece, as I stopped them in the yard, that look of a dear caught in the headlights not knowing that someone would catch them and figure out what they are doing? I have seen that look more times, than I could ever count. My thought Dragon
Edited by - kenpodragon on 27 October 2002 16:17:14