Well folks, you may recall that I was invited to my sister and her husband's Gilead going-away bonanza last Saturday. Elders would be there. My world would be rocked from it's stable position of "inactive"! Right?
Wrong. Although two elders from my previous hall were there -- and the former Circuite Overseer for that congregation! -- nobody said anything that hinted at a committee or even tea and cookies. I'm kind of disappointed! Do they not love me enough to rescue me from the clutches of Satan and Ray Franz (who, of course, left the organization to start his own religion and make millions)? No!
All went well. Nice to see my sister one last time before she gets malaria in some God-forsaken land. (Kidding..I hope). A couple sisters did a double-take at me. They were like dear caught in the headlights. I could see their wheels turning, "Wait, is he DFd or...um?" Gave me a hug and told me how good it is to see me. "A pleasant surprise!" said one. "Great! Could you get me a beer?" I replied.
The evening ended without nary a word of my "status." Just goes to show you the essence of Zen, which can be summed up in two words: Not always so.
Bradley