for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
UPDATE:
My little munchkin was born on Thursday afternoon, after 36 hours of labor. I will be sure to remind her of that for the rest of her life but right now I am just enjoying every little thing about her. I didnt realize I had so many kisses to give. My younger sis sent me a text that said "looks like she's got your cute nose ;-) " ....I'll just take what I can get from her. I've got too many blessings right now to get upset about petty things.
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
Of Course, Found Sheep. That's the stereotypical response. Ive been through that reasoning too. "But YOU'RE the one who left jehovah".
Actually, its been quite awhile...but I remember hearing that many times in the past. My response is always the same: "I assure you that I have not left God, nor has he left me. I simply do not believe your beliefs are godly."
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
Thanks . Im still a little bummed about it. But I *do* have some very close friends, and my baby shower was a huge success. More than anything, Im excited for the baby to get here, and Im thankful to have a hubby that *used* to be a jw (so he knows about all the craziness). You're all the help I needed. Thanks again JWN
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
A baby quilt *is* indeed a lovely gift, but it not a substitute for the relationship you want with your sister. It is not a substitute for love, even though it was clearly made with love. It can't replace the phone conversations you would love to have with your sister every day, or being able to hug her, or pour your heart out to her and have her listen to you and console you and tell you everything will be all right. On some level, I bet it feels like a knife in the heart to have to look at that quilt, knowing that she'd rather give you a token of her love rather than lovingly be in your family's life.
Thanks Scully. You hit the nail on the head. This is EXACTLY what Im thinking & feeling. Seeing that quilt brings back the sad & bitter feelings.... feelings Im usually so good at sticking in the back of my mind so that I can actually enjoy life and blessings that I *do* have. Its all about perspective though....and I'll try to change that so that my baby will know that "Aunty truly loves and cares for her" even though she can't show it in the way we'd like. Thank you everyone else for the kind words. I needed it.
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
MamaLove, YES! I can soooo relate. a few weeks back, I forwarded an email from our "worldly" aunt who wasnt sure of everyone's emails. It had something to do with news about our grandmother. And I got a brief response from the lil sis: "Thank you for the information." That was it!
We *were* friends on FB, but I made a comment about 2 Thanksgivings ago that made her feel threatened, even though it was something about how much I love the meaning of Thanksgiving. She took it as a personal insult to their religion. Also, she's told me in the past (one of our last, real conversations a couple years ago) that she feels like I use the phrase "unconditional love" too often. Ummmmm, ok. whatever.
Its been about 15 years since I faded. I moved away, my records were transferred. I moved a couple more times, and I think my records have been lost. (WOOT WOOT!). I moved back to my hometown about 9 years ago & refuse to move my life again because of what they might think. My first few years away from the jw's was filled with anger-filled comments. But now I just want to live my life and show respect for other's beliefs (and visa versa hopefully). All the jw's around here know that I will never return, but most still smile and talk to me normally (as normally as a jw talks to a 'worldly' person). I've actually heard a bunch of jw's say they didnt even realize I was baptized. lol
Abiblestudent, thank you. I agree. With that email from above, I included pictures of me opening up the quilt at my baby shower.
ThinkAboutIt, I just heard that you are going to a mutual friend's house for dinner this evening, and I told her to feel free to let you know who I am
GL, thank you. Very sound advice.
Mummatron....I am SO sORRY
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
It is going to break my heart if communication/NONcommunication keeps going on like this. It is my opinion that
this is totally your choice. If so, I have to respect that. But its driving me crazy.
I dropped by Mom's yesterday because I needed to borrow some of her foam for our couch. I was pleasantly surprised that ______ was there and that she remembers me. I also happened to have my camera in my purse, so I snapped a shot but then felt guilty & hoped you wouldn't be angry or upset that I took our picture together.
And I am totally assuming, since I haven't spoken to Dad after the fact...but I gave him some maternity pictures to give to you and I am assuming he gave them to you. It was SO disappointing that I did not hear a word about them from you. I am also disappointed that you have not been there for me, except for in a "professional"-type way during this pregnancy. I know that you care...but it feels otherwise many times.
I just don't know what you want or expect (or what you DON'T want). Are you hoping to treat me like the way you treat our "worldly" relatives? Like in a professional manner? Do you tell people that you have a sister who is not in 'The Truth'? Or that you have an apostate sister? I feel frustrated. And I don't understand why we can't have a sisterly relationship. You don't agree with some things that I choose to do in my life, and visa versa. But that doesn't keep other jw's from associating with me. My head doesn't spin around and I don't host devil parties.
I love you. Please email when you get the chance.
This is an email that I sent her about a week ago...still haven't heard back. I kind of regret sending it...but I don't think I put anything too crazy there. I appreciate what you all have said. I think her husband has a LOT to do with why she won't associate with me. Its just so frustrating.
I wouldn't have the first clue as to how to create & sew a quilt. She's pretty crafty, but I heard it took her a very long time to get it done for me & the baby. You all are right....she made it with love, and I shouldn't return it. I guess I just needed to vent for a minute. Thanks
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
you made me wanna cry...in a good way. You're right. Im just having a hard time right now....I think my imagination gets the better of me. Knowing she will probably not show up to the baby's birth makes me even more sad than a lot of stuff from the past.
Thank you ladies. And TroubledMind, Im so glad you've been following...you like my latest profile pic? Im ready to pop that kid out NOW.
for the most part, i am able to understand how my family treats me.
i was a jw for 20 years...since birth.
i used to shun people.
For the most part, I am able to understand how my family treats me. I was a jw for 20 years...since birth. I used to shun people. I turned my friends into the elders when they did wrong & my motivations were pure. And I used to treat our "worldly" family with respect, but always had it in the back of my mind that they were "worldly".
But I'm just going through a frustrated time right now! I am due to have a baby in a week, and my younger sister will not call or text or email! She's the only one in my family who's had a baby & who could've really shown support throughout this pregnancy. But she's chosen not to. It hurts so badly. But Im feeling really pissed off. Its just not right!
I ran into her a few days before my baby shower & she was very nice, gave me a hug, and even said she was planning on coming to the baby shower. But the day before, she called and said she screwed up & forgot that she & her husband (an MS now, but wants to be an elder & is a total douche) were going to Florida. I was so disappointed that she couldn't come. However, she made one of my nicest gifts: a homemade quilt. My older sister was at my shower, and had told me how much work it took our lil sis to get the quilt done. My younger sister made it because she loves me just as much as I love her.
But Im so angry that she keeps her daughter aways from me. And Im so angry that she has only texted me twice during the past 10 months. Im angry AHEAD OF TIME because I doubt she'll come to the hosptal when I go into labor.
I need advice: I feel like wrapping up the quilt she made and dropping it off at her front door, along with a note that says "We don't want this. You should be ashamed of yourself. Your behavior is disgusting."
Is that bad? I haven't done it yet because I figure I've just got crazy pregnancy hormones going on. But its just so wrong. Sooo sooo wrong
its been a lonnnng time since i've been on here for any length of time.
this is a good thing: i get bored reading stuff on .
brought up.
...sorry the spacing is a little weird. Not sure how to fix that...
its been a lonnnng time since i've been on here for any length of time.
this is a good thing: i get bored reading stuff on .
brought up.
It's only been four months? lol...seems like a lot longer, especially since I used to spend hours and hours on JWN.
Oh, and one other exciting thing: I was a waitress for 15 years (because Armageddon was just around the corner and higher education
was SUCH a waste ). But after I faded from the jw's, I went to school, started my own business, and just won Business of the Month in my
county for the month of May! That was a big deal to me, and it was in the newspaper with a big ol' picture of me! Giving my
acceptance speech for the plaque was totally nervewracking, but I did it. And I feel so proud of where I used to be and where I am now.
