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Unpacking BaggageJust going through my luggage, clearing out some things to make way for enlightenment Tuesday, January 10, 2006Great MomentsFor me, one of the most quintessential moments in American cinema (besides when the female head pops up and announces, "the royal penis is clean, your highness.") occurs in the first moments of Friday. On a sunny Friday morning, Ice Cube's character, Craig, is awakened from sleep by a persistent knock on the door. When he opens the door and peers onto the porch, he is greeted by the smiling face of Aunt Esther who asks, "Are you prepared for Jehovah's return?..." 
Mrs. Thomas and her sister, Aunt Rachel, would come to our house weekly to study with my grandmother. When they passed away, my grandmother was passed on to Mrs. Thomas' daughter, Aunt Minnie. Aunt Minnie has passed and yet another sister is actively trying to convert my grandmother. I laugh when I consider that she has gone through three generations of field service workers and is no closer to converting than she was 40 years ago. It is truly a testament to the persistence of Jehovah's Witnesses everywhere and my grandmother too. I remember studying with the Thomas gradchildren, who were trying to get me on board and going to District Assemblies. I had a lot of fun with them, but they made very clear the things that were not a part of your life as a witness and I had no intention of giving up those things. I certainly wasn't giving up Christmas. My grandmother was never real big on Christmas. I really don't understand why because all her entire family believes in doing it up big. Aunt Letha would bake and cook for weeks and clean her house like Jesus and all the apostles were coming for dinner. All the old girls responded to the season in the same way. One of the very best ways to know the holiday was coming was to watch the windows. Everyone would get new curtains. The same thing happened at Easter. The treatments in our house would get changed, but usually by my aunt, Jane or my mother. My grandmother was of the belief that if they weren't dirty, don't bother them. She truly didn't exhibit the spirit shown by everyone else, but for whatever reason she has still not become a full-fledged JW. At 79 years old I certainly don't see it happening, even though she attends Bible study at least 3 times a week. One of the very best things about my grandmother's near affiliation is that no one has ever knocked on our door on Saturday morning, except the chinese man who sold wigs from door to door back in da day. It's like the door post is marked and they know to pass over. It's even been a benefit for me when I encounter someone on the street with the Watchtower and Awake. I can say with honesty that there's one at home.  
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