When I was around 10 years old, my cousins came over to play. We were upstairs when one of us looked out the bedroom window and saw two unfamiliar people walking down the street. I exclaimed, “Jehovah’s Witnesses, HIDE!!”

Everyone I knew had the same reaction when spotting a duo going door-to-door.

I never knew why we were supposed to duck for cover and pretend we weren’t home… it was just what everyone did.

On this particular day, though, because we were 10, 11, 12 & 13 year old punks, my oldest cousin yelled out the bedroom window, “Yoo-hoooo 🎶 Look up hereeee….🎶 while his bare white ass hung out the window. (This was one of the reasons I worshipped my cousin; that, and because he was able to shove an entire cupcake in his mouth) We all fell on the floor dying laughing, and at 48 years old, I still tell that story as one of the highlights of my childhood.

But like I said, I never really knew why we were supposed to avoid Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Fast forward to a few years ago. I was still under the impression that I should pretend I wasn’t home when they came a-knockin’.

But then I found out that when they came to my parents’ house, my dad would answer the door and have actual conversations with them! This was mind-blowing. Lol told me that not only does he talk to them, he talks their ears off and they probably try to avoid him now.

So when a few weeks ago, I got a notification from my HOA Facebook page giving people the heads up that there were JHs walking the ‘hood, I decided to do things differently. (BTW, if you call your neighborhood the ‘hood, please stop. As my kids would say – it’s cringe.)

Eventually, they knocked on my door and I happily opened it.

I took it as an opportunity to learn what they were about. And guess what? They were absolutely lovely. They weren’t trying to sell anything, they weren’t trying to convince me of anything, they just wanted to read a Bible verse and share some information.

My kids made fun of me later because they were listening from upstairs and heard me getting upset and crying while talking about the state of world. I was glad they were listening though. They heard me in the end thank them for trying to help me. They wanted to set up another meeting but I respectfully declined, telling them I didn’t believe the same thing they did, but wished them well. They understood and were on their way.

I felt so good after that exchange. Mainly because I was able to model behavior that I want my kids to see. I want them to fully understand that even if people have different opinions (but mean you no harm), you should be respectful. Why not try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes to see where they’re coming from?

And then yesterday, right before I was about to workout, there was a knock on the door. It was them again.

While chatting, Rachel asked about my workout. I kinda went into “Pa” mode and talked their ears off about it. I told them that barre classes are the only thing that made my behind go from ‘a back with a crack’ to an actual gluteus minimus. (I’m striving for a gluteus maximus but I’m not sure that’s in the cards for me.) Then I made them check out my butt. We were laughing so hard that people must have been wondering what the hell we were talking about.

It was another great conversation. And now I have some new friends and the realization that they never were my enemies. And trust me, I’m not missing the irony that my connection with Jehovah’s Witnesses has come full circle, or should I say, full moon (ba duh bum 🥁)