I'm still angry (sad?) over the childhood I didn't have growing up. I was always so envious of my schoolmates who were involved in cheerleading and sports. I know I would have been good at it, if given the chance. Since I've always been petite and athletically built, many of my "worldly" friends didn't understand why I wasn't involved in these things...and it was a total downer trying to explain my parent's reasoning behind it. So today, at age 30, I play volleyball, wallyball, and softball and still watch the National Cheerleading Championships on ESPN. Haha! I feel like I'm in phase two of my childhood. It's never too late!
But I do think one of the worst things about growing up JW is the lack of education in social skills. *shaking head* I still cannot believe my worldly friends at age 19 (when I was DFed) were so kind and patient as I learned these things. I know there were times I irritated them and made them angry or hurt, but they were certainly saints for putting up with my BS. I try not to feel too badly about it now though. They never held my ignorance against me. But the grace they showed me has been a huge factor in my being understanding and patient with others today. If someone acts weird or is ill-mannered, I always try to stop and remember: What is causing them to act that way? Do they act like that all the time? Have they had a bad day? Do they realize they're being hurtful? Usually after I answer a couple of those questions, I realize MOST people aren't out to offend or hurt...their ignorance of social skills is usually the culprit.
Andi