California Sunshine

Joined

• started 2 topics
• posted 229 times   see topics posted on
• send a message

Posts by California Sunshine

• 
  63

  A Salute to the Kids of Dubdom

  by Room 215 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  as the unfortunate school-age children of jws worldwide, or at least in christendom, face up to two of what must certainly be the most dreaded days of the school year -- today and monday, i don't think it would be remiss to do pay them tribute -- the honor of a brief recognition of some sort, say by the raising of a glass, a prayer, a couple moments' reflection, whatever.. i refer to all those of the trembling knees, quivering lips, moistened eyes and hollow feelings in the pits of their little tummies as they loyally face up to the humiliation of standing aside from the masses of christmas celebrants among their school friends.

  how they must agonize over dealing with the incessant questions of their mates about ``what are you going to do this christmas," ``what did santa bring you?

  '' -- not to mention listening to the spirited banter of their school friends recounting how much fun they had and what they found under tree christmas morning, etc.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Ah Yes, I remember well sitting in the office while everyone else was opening the presents they had exchanged names for. Then they would have cake or other goodies their mothers had prepared. My Mother had explained to me how I was no part of this world and couldn't be a part of this "terrible" pagan celebration. I didn't really understand all of the reasons why, but I did it to please my Mom.

  Although this doesn't have anything to do with the holidays, it brings to my mind another time of such humiliation in my life that I wanted to die. I was 13 years old. I had been picked to be one of the commencement speakers at my 8th grade graduation. This was just before they started having Jr Highs. (yes, I'm old) I guess I had forgotten that the cerimony (?) started out with the FLAG SALUTE.
  So there I was, standing on the stage. Hands at my sides, with everyone in the auditorium staring at me like I was a freak (everyone except my Mom, of course, who I'm sure thought I was wonderful).
  I was called a communist, a traitor to my country by my piers. Some didn't say anything....they just stared in disbelief. It was awful.

  I was a kid. What choice did I have? I had to live with my Mom. I guess I chose what I thought to be (for want of better words) the lesser of two evils.

  So the Dub kids will always have a special place in my heart.

  Because I was one once.

  Sunny........thanks for listening
• 
  15

  Celtic just got the best Christmas Present

  by Celtic in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  it doesn't take much to get this old sod very happy.

  i just received the bestest christmas pressy ever, my lil boys email address, wey heyyyyy, now i can write to him directly, celtic is one happy man now.. when you only see your only child every 5 months or so for a few days, this means the world to me.. just wanted to share.. peace.

  celtic.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Oh Celtic, I'm so happy for you..

  I had a loved one one back into my life after 20 years recently.

  All because of email.

  Happy corresponding with your boy

  Sunny

  Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, New Year to everyone who reads this
• 
  24

  He passed away last night.

  by ashitaka in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i was in a bookstore trying to forget the day when my father called me and told me that my grandfather had died.

  he had passed only five minutes after we had left.. someone else was wondering what happens when we die.

  well, i was reading the chronicles on narnia (something i do when i'm feeling a little lost), and something at the end of the last battle caught me eye.. "the term is over: the holidays have begun.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Dear Ashi,

  So very sorry for your loss.

  With deepest sympathy

  Sunny
• 
  50

  Your best (one sentence) description of the WT

  by moman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here iz mine:.

  #1) "a cancer of the soul".

  #2) "a fools paradise".

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  The untimate suicide machine for "free thinkers".

  Sunny

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.

  In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language...Thereau
• 
  4

  MY STORY Chapter 1

  by Victor_E in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  chapter 1.. the year is 1972 and it appears vietnam will soon be a closed chapter for this country and for me the start of one that will define my destiny in life.

  my best friend john and i are freshmen in high school and we take great joy in debating religion.

  he is a newly baptized jw and i am a renegade catholic.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  As someone who has visited the VietMan Memorial I can tell you it is an experience of a lifetime.

  Thank you Victor

  All you said is true

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.

  In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language...Thereau
• 
  21

  Who has UNconditional love?

  by patio34 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have seen the term 'unconditional love' used often in reference to jws.

  now, i understand the import: they love someone only on the condition that someone remains a jw "in good standing.

  however, the term 'unconditional love' is proferred in a positive light.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Hi Patio,

  To have unconditional love you must first know what love is I suppose.

  My definition of love.....

  To except someone for exactly who and what they are. Looking past their faults and seeing the good in them. Mostly the exceptance part.

  When you think about it, its so simple.

  When you start putting conditions on it it becomes complicated.

  Love doesn't mean having to suffer at the hands of someone you love IE,An abusive husband or wife or drug using child. Sometimes you have to separate yourself from that, but that doesn't mean you don't still love them. Usually in the end the love you feel for this person is distroyed by them for reasons you don't know (their personal demons) or understand.

  I guess my husband and I don't have unconditional love because we have one condition in our relationship. Faithfulness. I'm never tempted. I only see good when I look at him.

  Perhaps I the closest I will come to unconditional love is with my children and grandchildren.

  Good thread Patio.

  Sunny

  PS. Hawaii was great! Saw people I hadn't seen since my childhood. My brothers anniversary party was a great success and a great time was had by all.

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.

  In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language...Thereau
• 
  23

  My Thanksgiving...

  by Billygoat in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  this post is totally sappy, but i don't care.

  i wanted to share it anyway.

  lately, i have felt very sorry for myself because my relationship with my jw parents is almost to the point of being severed.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Andi,

  What a truly beautiful post

  Just a thought.."Your family is those who except you for who you are, love you warts and all, and are a family to you".

  Blood isn't necessarily thicker than water.

  Neil and his family seem like wonderful people. My honey's family is like them.

  Glad you had such a wonderful experience with your church.

  I think of my brother and sister who are JWs sometimes. I missed them for a long time. Its been over 20 years now. The hurt isn't quite so bad now. In fact, perhaps if they had been kind to me I would be in there with them. Anyway, I know I am the lucky one. AND I have a brother and precious sister who aren't JWs and I am close with them.

  I am blessed and gratefull,

  Sunny

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.

  In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language...Thereau
• 
  3

  Pastor's lesson has spread to thousands

  by Mindchild in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this news appeared on cnn today.

  you can find the link at:.

  http://www.cnn.com/2001/us/11/22/pastors.lesson.ap/index.html.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Hi Skipper

  It would be great if the dubs each gave a little something to help thier communities out but I wouldn't hold my breath. Most of um are more interested in receiving that giving. A lesson well learned from their masters.

  This was a great thing to read and I know from personal experience how wonderful the feeling is when you help someone out. And when you do it anonamously the feeling is even a bigger high.

  Hope you had a nice holiday yesterday

  Sunny (greatful as hell everyday of the year for all that she has)

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.

  In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language...Thereau
• 
  3

  How was everyone's holiday?

  by Bendrr in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just wanted to hear from the rest of y'all about what you do for the holidays.

  even after leaving in 92, i've never put up a xmas tree or cooked a turkey.

  my thanksgiving dinner tonight was a lobster, and i ate alone as usual.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  Hi Mike

  I worked today.

  Thats OK cause it was a trade off. If I work today I can have the next 6 days off to make a trip to Hawaii to help my oldest brother celebrate he and his wifes golden anniversary. ( did I say he was much, much older than I? LOL). They are having a big bash on the big Island. (pritty good trade off don't you think?). My honey is out of town. He can't go with me on the trip (has taken to much time off already this year) so I sent him to his folks to spend the holiday. I know that made them happy. He took his Harley and he and his Dad (who has one too) are going to spend the day Sat riding together. Can you believe my husband's Dad still rides and he is an old Dude!

  I'm going to trudge down to my daughters and have turkey with her and her husband and my two beautiful grandchidren in a few minutes.

  Christmas is going to be a big thing this year. My sister and brother in law sold their home at the beach and moved out to the desert so my sister and I would be closer. Next to my husband she is my best friend. So my children and her children and granchildren are all coming (some from far away) to her new house and we are going to have a big family celebration. Its not the xmas thing. Its that we are all together.

  Maybe you could just go to the store and buy you a little live tree. That way you could plant it afterwards. They have some cute ones with the goodies already on um. I feel the same way as you about presents. I love to see the looks on the kids faces when they open their surprizes. That is the greatest present I could ever get.

  So you had lobster today? Yummy! Gosh, where in the rulebook does it say ya have to have turkey?

  Well, gotta go, the turkey is waiting and I don't want to be late.

  I AM SO GRATEFUL TODAY!

  Sunny

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.

  In a world of peace and love, music would be the universal language...Thereau
• 
  21

  I hate JW's

  by ashitaka in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i hate all jw's for making my wife upset when they send their commanders (elders) to harass my wife for not going to meetings.

  i'd like to say f**k you to all people who have hurt my wife and i and continue to do so.

  these f**king c***s continually try to hurt my wife because she won't kiss their asses.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  California Sunshine

  ******************My father was a wretched man who was empowered by the JW's to beat the shit out of me every nite.***********

  I'm sorry Ash. The children seem to be the most helpless victums of the WTS. Not to say your Dad isn't personally responsible for what he did to you, because he is.

  I can't blame you for all your anger. I have so much of it myself. I'm trying so hard to work on it but it isn't easy.

  I feel for you and your wife. Wishing your wife's parents away and their actually going away are two different things. You two need to stick together and you will get through it.

  Have you thought about relocating? Far,far away from them and the JWs that you know? If possible?

  Just a thought

  Sunny

  PS. I pritty much hate um too...."they don't destroy familys" what a laugh!

  minds are like parachutes--they only function when open.