Finally called my DF'ed sibling. Thanks JWDers for the nudge.

by Open mind 22 Replies latest members private

  • Open mind
    Open mind

    Well, I finally did it. I called my older sibling who has been DFed for many, many years.

    I asked for advice on how best to do it here:

    http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/9/133340/1.ashx

    And all the advice I received was really helpful.

    The timing really sucked. My sibling was just sitting down to dinner in a restaurant w/friends. But we talked for a few minutes. I had rehearsed all these clever ways of "protecting" myself in the first few sentences, since I was paranoid about my sibling maybe "outing" me out of spite or something stupid like that. But when I actually made the call, I just blurted it all out and let the chips fall where they may. IT WAS WONDERFUL!! Thank you to everyone who told me to just do it. Keep it sincere. Keep it simple. We were on the "same page" within 60 seconds.

    My sibling welcomed me back with open arms in spite of my needing to maintain the ridiculous "shunning charade" for the forseeable future. It was kind of a modified Return of the Prodigal moment. I bawled my eyes out and said how sorry I was for throwing away so many years. Anyway, I'm sure there are many rocky roads ahead of me in trying to wake my family, but this particular portion of the journey felt SO GOOD. I just wish I had called sooner. At least we're both still alive.

    Open Mind

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  • Tuesday
    Tuesday

    That's amazing! So glad to hear it!

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  • fullofdoubtnow
    fullofdoubtnow

    That's great to hear Open Mind, I am so pleased for you both

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  • journey-on
    journey-on

    This choked me up a bit. Time is just too short to waste it shunning our family members. My sis barely speaks to me because I'm faded and she knows I don't believe the doctrines and it breaks my heart for her to be so cold and distant because of a difference in spiritual beliefs. If she called me like you did your sibliing, I, too, would welcome her with open arms. We shared our childhood together and I miss her. I'm so glad you took the step and I bet your heart feels a little lighter today.

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  • White Dove
    White Dove

    WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  • BFD
    BFD

    Hey, OM, that is such happy news. I am so glad thet your brother could be so forgiving. I am a little choked up myself.

    This is what I call "GOOD NEWS"!

    BFD

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  • BizzyBee
    BizzyBee

    I just knew it would work out that way! Good for you!

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  • Open mind
    Open mind

    Journey-on said:

    Time is just too short to waste it shunning our family members.

    How true that is. What's equally sad is all the years I've been unable and will still be unable to talk openly with loyal-dub family about real "spiritual" things the way we can here on JWD.

    I feel for you journey-on. When you take the time and trouble to "fade" and are still treated like you're DFed, that's got to be very trying.

    Don't give up hope though. My sibling didn't give up hope and I finally saw the light.

    Open Mind

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  • free2think
    free2think

    That's such happy news Open Mind. I'm really pleased that everything went well, it must have been really nerve-racking for you but what a great result.

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  • bubble
    bubble

    Congratulations, you'll never look back.

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