Posts by safe4kids

27

the week from hell...I need input please!

by jonjonsimons in

jw
friends

i just found out my best friend died this morning.

i'm not looking for sympathy, i just need some input.

we were very close and worked together volunteering for the aids foundation here in my hometown.

safe4kids

Hi Jon,

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss you've suffered and my heart goes out to you. I think that a lot of folks have given good advice but I really think that Ray's idea of a private ceremony with possibly a few close friends is an idea worth considering. It would allow you to keep your promise to your friend but also allow you some closure as well as an opportunity to mourn him openly. Whatever you decide tho, I'll bet your friend will/would be okay with it...I'll bet he will understand.

Hugs to you jon...

Dana

9

Eyewitness Details of the Ritzville trial by Ros

by Had Enough in

jw
friends

if i understand it, the defendant had been asked the question (words to this effect): "if you were asked in court whether you are guilty or innocent, what would be your answer?

trial including why the verdict was thrown out--if i understand it.

then erica's mother was called, and.

safe4kids

Hi Jurs,

Thank God you have your sister.
Hugs to you . I'm sure Erica's story has touched you deeply.

I am grateful every day for the relationship I have with my sister; she's the absolute best! And she's helped me through some pretty rough times. Erica's story has touched many of us deeply; I get the feeling you are also affected on a deep level...((((hugs)))) back to you Jurs. Thank you for your kind words and take care.

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

8

Our Grand Illusion of Life

by DougKelley in

our grand illusion of life.

doug kelley august 2001. i want to know who you really are; what is really inside you.... each one of us lives an illusion of life.

deep inside us dwells a person that is real and alive, but far removed.

safe4kids

Hey FreePeace,

Excellent essay. Life IS what we make of it but it sure as heck is difficult to wade through all of the emotional and mental baggage we carry with us. Still wading....

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

9

Eyewitness Details of the Ritzville trial by Ros

by Had Enough in

jw
friends

if i understand it, the defendant had been asked the question (words to this effect): "if you were asked in court whether you are guilty or innocent, what would be your answer?

trial including why the verdict was thrown out--if i understand it.

then erica's mother was called, and.

safe4kids

Hey Had Enough,

I'm looking forward more and more to meeting you in September! I think that it's going to be a great time.

You mentioned in your post that you wish you had some training in this field...and I understand that; my experiences I think in large part led me to the same conclusion. I am going to school and studying psychology and hopefully, one day I'll be able to offer more help to those suffering in this way. But I'm so glad that you didn't discount the benefits of a listening ear and a kind shoulder; unconditional love and support mean such an incredible lot!! I couldn't have gotten through it all without them.

Moxy,

i think an important thing to note here is how the efforts of someone, (probably an xjw from the sounds of it) altho hopefully well-intentioned, actually hurt the case they were trying to help.

Excellent reminder! And I'm looking forward to meeting you as well altho I think I'm going to have to push my sister out of the way to do so...she has this things for cats, yaknow.

Prisca...all I can say is...I agree!!!

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

36

Thanks for the support love, Erica

by angel in

jw
friends

i am erica garza rodriguez.

i wanted to write and thank all of you for your interest and support during this long pursuit of justice.. to those wonderful friends who were able to travel to ritzville for the trial, my heart overflows with humble gratitude.. bill bowen (and wife sheila, behind the scene).

b (you know who you are), pat, chris, richard and wife, gsark, baharama and sister, maximus, were you there?

safe4kids

Hi Erica!

Thank you for posting. I am really touched by your courage and determination in dealing with such a painful issue. I add my well wishes along with the others here that life bring you all that you deserve in the way of happiness and healing. Warm ((((hugs)))) to you and your family.

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

6

Stranded on a desert island

by Seeker in

by odd coincidence, the following groups of people.

are stranded on separate desert islands:.

2 italian men and 1 italian woman.

safe4kids

Seeker,

I just saw this today and I was laughing out loud at all of them but I just don't get the one about the Americans...seems perfectly normal to me!

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

4

A TOUR OF HEAVEN ... (a joke)

by Billygoat in

jw
friends

a man dies and goes to heaven.

at the gates, st. peter offers him a tour on his way to his quarters.

st. peter takes the man down a beautiful road paved with gold bricks.

safe4kids

Waiting,

No way it could be the joke teller...I've read your jokes thread...ROTFL!!!

(((Andi))) good joke, I hadn't heard it before! Now if only I can remember it beyond the next 5 minutes...

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

9

Eyewitness Details of the Ritzville trial by Ros

by Had Enough in

jw
friends

if i understand it, the defendant had been asked the question (words to this effect): "if you were asked in court whether you are guilty or innocent, what would be your answer?

trial including why the verdict was thrown out--if i understand it.

then erica's mother was called, and.

safe4kids

Had Enough,

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. I've done a lot of healing in the last 5 or 6 years, but yes, I think childhood sexual abuse leaves lasting scars. Actually, abuse of any kind be it verbal, physical, emotional, sexual, etc., inflicts terrible damage on its victims who then must struggle to overcome the effects. In another thread, Billygoat posted that she thought everyone who has experienced such abuse would benefit from professional help; I just want to strongly reinforce that. I think it saved my life.

What is so wonderful about this site is that so many people, victims or otherwise, have a place to vent, share, learn, and connect with others. It has been a been a very positive place in my life for the most part, and I am very grateful to Simon for providing it. I am also glad that there are people here like you who are interested in learning about these issues and extending support and encouragement to others.

Thanks again,
Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

17

Toronto's August gathering

by Kismet in

jw
friends

once again people were either to tired or to ummm preoccupied to post after the gathering today.. it was a great event for me since i saw an old friend from 7 years ago..another former bethelite who left the org before me.

we were good friends at bethel and it was great to re-aquaint ourselves as free persons!!!.

got a chance to get to know others much better.

safe4kids

Hey OUT and HadEnough!!

I must say I am getting really excited about meeting you folks next month too! Along with Tina, Somebody, Expat, Peter, Kismet....and well, everyone!

Think and I are pretty flexible gals so if y'all want to hook up on Friday night, we're up for that. I think we will arrive in Toronto in the early afternoon so just let us know what plans you all want to make and we'll be happy to oblige!

Dana (checking her lipsticks for light colors)

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"

9

Eyewitness Details of the Ritzville trial by Ros

by Had Enough in

jw
friends

if i understand it, the defendant had been asked the question (words to this effect): "if you were asked in court whether you are guilty or innocent, what would be your answer?

trial including why the verdict was thrown out--if i understand it.

then erica's mother was called, and.

safe4kids

HadEnough and Ros,

Thanks for the account of the trial. I was unfamiliar with the details of the case and so read it with interest. Interesting that, as usual, the molestor/rapist denies what they've done and the harm they've caused. I believe this to be almost universal. And clearly shows a total lack of repentance or acceptance of responsibility. I am so very glad there were so many people to support Erica and her family.
My abuser didn't go to a worldly trial; however, there was a meeting of the elders (our JW 'trial') and I had the support of two other victims, which is what made it possible for me to even sit in the same room with him and so I can imagine what the show of support meant to Erica.

Thanks again for sharing this with us and I hope that Erica can now go forward and heal.

Dana

"I undid his head collar and took him outside for a drink, and felt, if not exactly a communion with him, at least an awareness of being a fellow creature on a lonely planet."

Dick Francis in "To The Hilt"