One of the more unusual secrets in my family is the fact that for years my mother has written every talk my grandfather -- an elder, the service overseer -- has given from the platform.
A little background: my grandfather was appointed ever since the elder arrangement was put in place in the early 70's. He's originally from Poland and his English is decent, but not great. When he started to give public talks (or any talks, for that matter) he would ask my mother for some assistance in how he should say things grammatically. My mother would also type his talks for him as he dictated to her. Fair enough. Well, over the years my mother's "input" became greater and greater as my grandfather got older. Well, it got to the point where, for about the last twelve years or so, my mother has produced the talks completely on her own! Here's how it works: my grandfather simply informs my mother he has a talk coming up and she writes it for him -- en toto.
Now, this is all very understandable, mind you. My grandfather is going to be ninety years old this year and, giving ten to twenty minute talks is not something the average person in his age group is doing (he no longer gives public talks). But, I'm sure if his fellow elders (or the CO!) found out that the two talks he gives each month, as well as all his service talks, were the complete work of a fifty year old sister, well, I think that would raise some eyebrows!
Actually, I think it's kinda cool. My mom, the "secret elderess." HA!
Bradley (so, the question is, does she have Jehoober's Spirit in all this?)