Yesterday, my JW stepson flew in for a visit. Two years ago, he was also here on Thanksgiving and despite being insanely hungry, refused to eat anything related to the dinner. I was hoping that things had changed, but yesterday was the same. He was very hungry, but wouldn't eat anything. My husband says I grew up in a country club congregation. We always had a big turkey dinner sometime over thanksgiving weekend - and a ferw times it was actually on Thanksgiving! After all, turkeys were on sale that time of year, and it is only food after all. I guess it was that my parents, despite still being active witnesses never made THAT big of a deal over it.
I just feel so sad for him that the control is that great that he cannot even treat it as simply food because he is hungry, or eat everything but turkey. Yet, if we made a big formal dinner of Roast beef or a pork roast, it would probably be perfectly acceptable for him to eat. The mind control is so strong.
I guess on some level I am frustrated for him and at the fact that it puts an unhappy sad note into a holiday that celebrates family and friends.