blondie: that is a question I have been asking them for many months. What is my status? I was never a JW, but a bible student for a long time. We seriously considered and examined it carefully. When asked directly, they tell me there is no problem with me. Their behavior is the exact opposite, treating me as if I do not exist, unless they can see me seeing them seeing me.
I do not do well at mind games. I do not know what is expected or acceptable.
I will say this: A year ago, my dad sent out an email to all his adult children. (5 out of 6 are not JW's,never have been). In this message, he stated that his main focus in life now is to be a "good Jehovah's Witness." I found this statement alarming. It was followed with, "I hope you have noticed some improvements." I did reply to him privately, and challenged him to ask himself whether he was serving jehovah, or serving an organization.
I have not seen any improvements in my father, unless numbness and lack of passion for life would be considered an improvement. He has grown in thoughtlessness, and has bled this bizarre behavior all over my mother, who used to be my best friend. They have become rude, arrogant and robotic.
He had asked me not to share his messages with anyone else, to avoid hurt feelings. (In it, he told me how he would always be closer to my JW sister, even if I did become a JW.) I told him that I would do that, but that I hoped he would share mine. "I wouldn't be surprised if they discourage you from communicating with me anymore, after 42 years of a fine family relationship." I have not heard from him since. He will speak to me, if we happen to be t the same place at the same time.
It is only my sister, who has come right out and told me that she won't bring her kids into my house. She has to protect them from idolatry.
Ok, moving on to my own life, and my own family, that actually cares if I exist. I hope the kids enjoy their gifts, and that maybe one of those cookies in that gift box, will crunch in a way that wakes up a brain cell in my sister's skull. Probably not.
Confusion makes sense to JW's.