Monday, November 27, 2006

Todays Lesson

Why is it 4 days at work goes so slow, but 4 days off seems to just fly by? I would give anything to be at home and in bed right now. I really need to start playing the lottery on a regular basis so I can maybe someday only worry about where my next vacation will be.

Friday when I went to pick up Sophie dog at the vet I ran into a Jehovah's Witness. I pulled in next to this car and when I looked over this lady was staring at me. I immediately realized that is was a woman that I used to go to church with. She got out of the car and I thought "crap" because I really didn't feel like dealing with a JW on this day. As I walked in right behind this woman she stood at the counter talking to the receptionist. The receptionist then had to go in the back to get something and this JW just stared forward. It was as if she looked or talked to me she was going to melt. What a bitch. I wanted to say something like, "you know saying HI to me will not make you a bad person". The two of us just stood there for two very long minutes until the receptionist came back. It was the most awkward 2 minutes of my life. Not because there was a JW standing there, but because I knew this person was trying so hard not to look or talk to me. As we stood there I just kept thanking God that I had a chance to get out of that cult and lead a normal happy life. After not seeing this person for more then two years she still looked as miserable as when I was friends with her. Poor thing.

This morning as I was driving to work Laura called and said my Uncle had called the house. She knew who it was by the caller ID and when she answered the phone he said, "I'm sorry, I have the wrong number." He's not a good liar. I wonder why he was calling. He might have been checking to see if we still had the same phone number or who might answer the phone. Two years ago (just two months after I left the church) I noticed that my aunt/uncles phone number was on our caller ID. I called the house and of course no one answered. I left message asking if they needed something. A couple days later my Uncle called back saying he had dialed the number by accident. Ok, whatever.

When I tell people that I have not talked with my parents or other extended family in more then two years they are very shocked. They are shocked that my parents (and extended family) could be so cruel and mean. Being cruel and mean is not new to me. I grew up in a family filled with lots of cruelness and meaness. I sometimes wonder how I came out of this situation with so much love for others as well as compassion. I know I certainly didn't learn that from my family or the church. I know there are a lot of JW's that leave that are filled with hate and revenge. I thank God that in all my trials throughout life the one lesson I learned was how to love.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

You missed a great opportunity to annoy them by speaking to them. You could of just talked about the weather at them.

It will bother them more to stop being annoyed by their ignorance.

Just because they are bigots doesn't mean you have to be.

Anonymous said...

What a strange situation -- I'm sorry your family and people you used to know are so brainwashed. Do you remember in high school once you asked me if my family *really* said "I love you" to each other every day, since I always said it to my parents when I left the house? I always thought that it was sad that something like that would seem foreign to you. It really is an amazing thing that all of that didn't turn you into a cold person!

Minnesota Nice said...

Nearly 20 years here estranged from my religious-nut family, and I can attest that the time starts to go faster and faster, just like your fun 4-day weekend. For real!!

Caroline said...

anonymous--i thought about talking to her, but I was worried about my dog at the time. Normally I would say something to them. I love to watch how nervous they get

amy--very interesting. i don't remember that, but it really shows a lot about my home life at that time

sandra--lol. the past two years have gone by fast and i am amazed that it has already been more then two years

Monogram Queen said...

Ah I am so glad you had the opportunity to leave the JW and have a happy life.
You should have stared her down and really made her sweat.
I, too wonder why your Uncle called you. Weird.