Just up and about--having my coffee.
Good morning! Lois, whatever time zone you are in, I hope you are well. The wild plum in the fencerows are preparing to bud and all the old homesteads are marked with yellow daffodils.
Your mother may have felt the same tearing pain that I felt that when I was "in"--always working to buy out time to serve Jehovah. The Joy of life was always near and yet always unattainable. Perhaps her memories of the Ozarks and her grandpa and riding horse back--because they were so happy and so gone-- made her a little bitter...but you stayed sweet.
Only two of my children were baptised. One DA'd the other was DF'd. My daughter who DA'd made me reflect on the blind crudity of the manner young ones are handled when they have honest doubts. She was amazing in how she managed herself at age 17. But for a time I was afraid she would kill herself. She is 34 now. It took her years before she felt free to pray.
My husband is in good health but has had a lot of broken bones that act up every day--but he was surprised that his 'young' wife got sick. I am staying in a place with running water and a washer/ dryer while I am doing this cancer treatment. Much closer to everything.
I wonder if I can do something to help the pain that JW lies have caused for others. I can see the topics under dicussion--and I hope there may be a way to invite local discussion. Everyone has their own way to help. That's how I feel.