I am so grateful to have found this site. I got so excited reading everyones posts. I was raised a JW up intil I was around 13 or so. Up until then I lived with my father who is an elder and my stepmother who is a pioneer. I was never baptized but still feel like my family shuns me for leaving.
I moved in with my mother and went a little crazy for awhile. I have since settled down. Being raised in that mess still affects me to this day. My stepmother was very abusive and I was taught to keep my mouth shut! So I find it now really hard to talk to others. Every year i feel like I am being bad when I put up my Christmas tree. Although my Dad very rarely comes around I get scared that now is the time he will show up. I hide my cigarettes when he comes around. I won't even mention to him that I go to church. I think it hurts me more that they don't have anything to do with my kids.
I am now 32 and still feel like a child and I have to learn to get over that. I think by coming here and talking with people that know EXACTLY what I am going thru will help me heal.
I am looking forward to getting to know all of you!