I have a friend that is still a jw, I left over 2 years ago after being in over 40 years. We know each other in and out and I know all of her deep frustrations and depressions. So now it gets difficult. Before she could tell me everything about what was going on in her life because I was "in".
Now she tries bravely to make me believe she is just fine. I feel so sad when I see how unhappy she is. She has been diagnosed with various depressive ailments and trying many different medications. She has given up on this life and seems so apathetic towards everything. She attends few meetings, relying on the telephone link up....that way she can stay home where she feels happy.
When I mention how happy I am and how good life is, I sometimes feel I am rubbing her nose in it..so often I tone down my experiences for her sake. Before when negative things happened in the cong, she could vent on me..now she avoids saying anything because she maybe thinks that I will say..I told you so..Actually that is something I never do.
I know she sees so much rubbish in her way of life, but she has no other choice than to carry on as usual. Of course there is another way but it is so costly for her she just cannot contemplate it.
Sad.