I was out for a few years when I decided to write my letter to DA myself. Frankly, I really didn't care about their thinking I was honoring their authority or not. And in my case, all the JWs were shunning me anyway, so there wasn't a thing they could do to use my letter against me. I'm never going back, not trying to reestablish friendships. I am shed of them. I wrote the letter simply for closure, for myself. Didn't matter to me how they felt about it. If they think they are some kind of authority, so be it. Didn't and don't care.

I told them some reasons I was leaving. I was though about that part. I also told them that they would need someone to talk to if they ever found their way out, and that my husband and I would have our arms open for them, to give them moral support and to care. I was not going to be different with them than we are with other people.

I heard nothing back. I am done with them, period. I'm not shunning them. That would be acknowledging one of their worst practices. If I see them ever, I'd be friendly and kind to them, even if they aren't so to me.

I am living MY life, not one they'd dictate to me. And for me writing the letter helped me inside. I'm not running in fear from them.

Another thing about doing that is that our house is avoided by them as soon as they find out who I am, no matter were I've moved.

Janet