I have had 2 really NICE experiences running into JWs recently, and just wanted to share that even though MOST are still 'stuck up' and make the choice to shun me - there are still some really GOOD ones out there that don't take the org directions on DFing seriously - and those are the ones I respect and continue to hold in high regard:
1. My buddy that was in my circle of 'friends' when a JW texted me out the blue Tues night. I didn't REMEMBER him (saved only his 1st name in my phone) and just could not figure out who it was. So after going back and forth for about a min, I called - and then I remembered!! Well, he asked me about how I was doing, what I was up to, my job, and the very LAST question was "are you back yet"? I don't know why - but it made me CRY!!!! I literally have not talked to this guy in a long time but started bawling when he asked me that. I just explained all that happend (with the elders, the CO, my ex fiance, his family, and then my parents) and he actually started crying on the phone (not bawling or anything...but I could hear him snifflin). He then told me about his sister (who has been DF'd for years) and that he never believed in shunning her - she is his blood, his family, and that he feels it's wrong to cut off fam. Not to mention that their parents are physically disabled, so they cannot take care of themselves at all...he and his younger sister live with the parents and care for them, and their older sister (the one tha tis DF'd) comes and helps. His point was that they are still a 'family' whether or not their sis is a JW ... and so they all still associate with her. He said he was crying because #1 he didn't know all the details of exactly what happened to me till I told him, and #2 he felt BAD that my family is treating me this way. MInd you, this guy is an MS and on his way to elder (giving public talks). Of course he tried to encourage me to just go to another Khall in another area, but I have to admit, he was NOT pressuring me nor did he make me feel bad when I told him I have no desire to go back to the 'org' anytime soon. In the end we talked for about an hour, and then he asked for pics of me...said he missed me and knows that whatever decisions I make, I will be ok.
2. Had dinner with a girl that was in my cong growing up that I was NEVER really close to...and then she got DF'd years ago. Was out for a few yrs, then got reinstated (solely for the purpose of being in her sisters wedding), then literally the day AFTER the wedding, she bailed! -hahahahaha. Never set foot in a Khall again. Of course she is not DF'd now, but is inactive and living her LIFE - dating, going out, working, in college, etc. Anyways, we ran into each other months ago when she was in town visiting her family, and exchanged numbers. Tried making plans to catch up but things never worked out. FINALLY last night it did! WE had such a good conversation...and learned a LOT about each other that I think we never knew because we didn't run in the same circles. Turns out she our stories are very similiar (in the org) and that she has been in therapy in order to get it OUT of her head - all the cult like treatment, her upbringing as a JW, not having an identity (or support) when she was DF'd, finding her way in the 'world', debating whether to come back and STAY being a JW again, etc. We talked for a good hour and then parted ways, but it was really NICE to see her and feel 'understood' by someone. Her parents are both still 'in' the org, but her brother walked away, and now her younger sister (and husband) are having major DOUBTS about the org and are struggling with leaving in a huffy or gradually fading. The ONLY 1 that has stayed in is her eldest sis, but she is married and pregnant - so her 'idea' of HAPPY life involves JWs.
Really made me feel GOOD these past few days because it just reiterates (as does this site) that I'm NOT ALONE! That others feel and agree with me...my ideas about the org are NOT 'far fetched' and out in left field as my parents would have me believe. Just a really GOOD couple nights in a row with some JWs....