I was baptised at a local circuit assembly. It didn't seem a big deal at the time, as I'd grown up as a JW, and getting baptised was just a rite of passage for JW youths. Fortunately my parents had the attitude that you don't need to get baptised until you're an adult, so as a teenager I didn't have the pressure to get baptised, although I was expected to once I reached my adult years.
The year before my baptism was rather traumatic. My father had remarried (my mum died when I was 11) and the woman (a "sister") had emotional problems which caused trouble in the family. One elder described her as having "more hang-ups than an art gallery" and he wasn't far wrong. Anyway, as a result of her jealous insecurities, I was forced out of home. I was now living with my sister and her husband.
Despite all those difficulties, I was still determined to remain a JW and get on with my life. So I got baptised. I remember standing up to answer the questions. There was one other sister (younger than me) and a brother. The sister's father was proudly looking on from the wings of the stage. I wished that I could see my father looking on, but I doubted I would see him that day, even though he was sitting in the audience. His wife wouldn't want him too. Yeah, I know it sounds stupid, but that's what she was like. And he didn't have the spine to stand up to her.
I think I was the last one to get baptised. The brother and the other sister went before me. My sister was waiting for me in the wings. Once I got dried and dressed, a close family friend came over and gave me the hugest hug. "This is from your mum," she said. I didn't mind, because she was like a second mum to me. And also because it'd been a long time since I received a hug from anyone.
Looking back now, the thought of ever leaving the "troof" would have been the last thing in my mind. The thought of leaving was back then something abhorrent, totally the unthinkable. Yet here I am today, fifteen years later, discussing my thoughts with others around the world who have also left.
Life takes some strange and weird turns sometimes.