Helen Rowe
Hello everyone! I was around 5 years old when my Dad got hooked on WCG. I remember Mom “fighting” this interest by cooking pork and my Dad going around glowering about it. Eventually Mom capitulated and got sucked into it too so we started attending the Houston, Texas church. I actually had good memories of the church up until my early teens. You all who grew up in that era (60’s) know how we were taught that …the natural feelings we go through in puberty…was a terrible sin! No wonder I hated sex during my first marriage! Well, that and the fact that the guy I married was just like my Dad…you know…men are the head of the household and the wife and children obey his every word! I was rebellious in my teens as a lot of the teens of WCG’s parents were back then. I eventually got kicked out at 17 which made me happy. Left home on my 18th birthday and thought I could get married and do what I wanted to do and be happy the rest of my life. Then reality hit! Took me awhile to realize I’d married a guy just like but worse than my Dad. After 3 children with him, I left and met someone totally opposite than him and remarried. That marriage didn’t last either but we are still friends and I’ve decided to live the rest of my life as a single woman. It took me awhile to get over the bitterness I had toward the WCG and their teachings. When the church started splitting, my Dad stayed with the old beliefs while Mom went with one of the more modern thinking groups so that caused some turmoil in the last years of their marriage. Dad could never understand why I felt about “men” the way I did but he called to tell me (before he died) that he was sorry he kicked me out of the house on my 18th birthday. I forgave him. I know he was just raising us the way he thought was right. He lost his Dad at an early age so he lost that father figure in his life…someone who could teach him how to be a good parent. I have heard that he was a good parent while he was on this earth. I can’t say I’m an atheist…more agnostic. I lost one of my sons in an automobile accident back in ‘96 right after he graduated from college. That’s the worst thing that can happen to a parent (except have one missing and not knowing if they are alive or not) and I want to believe that there is some kind of spiritual world…a better place where we will be with our loved ones again. I had a rough life too and it took me awhile to get it together and go to college…at the age of 38 or so…and graduate in ‘93. My two remaining kids are having a hard time at life and I can’t help blame myself for taking so long to “get it” about raising them. I’m better with the grandkids. I think my kids have forgiven me…it’s me that has a hard time forgiving myself for my mistakes! I still try to help the kids when they need help but it really gets me down when I think maybe I could have prevented this “mind think” they have if I’d been a better parent earlier in their lives. I wonder if all WCG ex-followers/parents go through this guilt trip? Be glad to hear from you if you know where I’m coming from! I would also like to hear from my old friends who have split from the old church. I have kept in semi-touch with a female friend from my young days in the church but she’s with the “old” beliefs so we aren’t in touch that often. So if any of you remember a Helen Adams (now Rowe) feel free to email me and may you all find peace in your lives.
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