I haven't posted in a very long time, but when I read your post felt that I had to write as I'd been thinking of these very things over the past week or so, namely how connected I still feel to my old Witness friends. And I feel this way even though I currently have many dear friends (and a great family) for which I am grateful.
I have been away from the Watchtower Society for over 20 years, but will never stop loving the dear friends I had while I was a Witness. Even now my heart wells up with emotion thinking of some of the people I miss terribly.
Every so often I will drop someone a "thinking of you" note. I was fortunate that one couple I knew well (they were like a mother & father to me), replied with a very loving card and warm thoughts. I know that they wanted me to "come back", but the fact that they expressed their love to me, after all the years that had passed, meant so much to me.
Not so long ago, I had an old Witness friend call out my name in a public area. Not having seen her in (probably) 15 years I was in disbelief that she was "there" and that she actually called out to me to say hello. It was only for a very brief time that we talked, but I gave her a hug and was on "cloud nine" the rest of the day for having seen this dear friend.
I am fortunate to be friends (again) with someone, who was my friend from all those years ago, who has also left the Watchtower organization. I about fell off my chair when I found out he'd left. And it's been healing having him in my life.
Another reason I think the tie is so strong is because I have family that are still Witnesses.
So I will never give up hope of reuniting with my family and friends that are still Witnesses --- my door will always be open to them! And I will always love them.
