The thread about what JW books we first remember got me to thinking back. As I remembered the first books a flood of other memories came flashing back.
The memories of being the weirdo kid in the suit keep flashing back.
All the neighborhood kids playing outside on a beautiful spring morning and me trying to sneak my way to the car unseen as we head out for service.
Sitting in a McDonald's on a Saturday morning wearing a suit while the other normal dressed kids stared at me.
Tuesday after school, having to eat supper, then get dressed up to go to the book study while I can hear all the other kids playing next door, hoping they'll be inside by the time we have to leave for the meeting.
Standing in downtown Atlanta handing out flyers and magazines during the International assembly week, wanting to crawl under the loose manhole cover in the street.
Sitting in the back of the class at school trying to melt into the desk while the other kids are standing for the flag salute.
Hiding or hoping no one noticed me everytime the subject of Xmas came up and everyone was bragging about what they got.
Having to sport a short close cut haircut in the late sixties/early seventies when everyone else was letting their hair grow longer.
Wearing dress clothes to school instead of jeans. I wasn't allowed to wear jeans to school until I was in high school.
Wearing horn rim glasses when the John Lennon wire frames had made wire frames the universal popular choice in frames.
Going to my grandmothers on Sundays after the meeting still dressed up for the meeting while all my (worldly) cousins were in play clothes. I had to sit and watch them play because I couldn't get my clothes dirty.
Physically fighting off my grandmother at the age of 5 or 6 when I stayed over and she tried to get me dressed to go to her church on a Sunday morning. This memory is truly a flashback...I completely forgot it until I was typing this. I had to stop to catch my breath as that memory came back as if it happened yesterday and the fear grasped me as it did then. My heart is still racing as I type...My aunts watching as I kicked and screamed and tried to run only to have my grandmother hold me down as she put my clothes on me one arm and leg at a time. Tears running down my face, staining my shirt and tie as I sob uncontrollably thinking that I was sinning a terrible sin. What would my mother think...what would Jehovah think...the fear.... what a powerful memory that is.......