From Out of the Cocoon Author, Brenda Lee

 

Carrie Bee recounts, in a poignant yet satirical style, the life of Ivy, Jehovy girl, who grows up afraid of dying in an accident. Ivy is overwhelmed by the countless rules handed down by the strangers (Governing Body) in Brooklyn,New York. She is justifiably paranoid about displeasing God.. After all, it's a tall order for anyone to live up to, let alone a child. And God is always watching. "That's God with a capital "G" because the other people's gods have a small "g.""

With precision and humor Carrie describes Ivy's father's first Jehovah's Witness encounter: "This would've been a good time in Dad's life to walk away, like a bar-fight moment. You go out for a shot of tequila and end up in handcuffs sharing a cell block with a convict named Rump Ranger." (When I read that, I knew it was going to be a good read.)

With tenderness she describes Ivy's lost relationship with her father. What girl/woman doesn't want the approval of her dad?

Carrie describes a Twilight Zone moment at Christmas as seen through the eyes of a Jehovah's Witness child: "Everyone was hugging and kissing each other. It's family. It's love. It's warm and enticing. But it's poison..." (What a surreal contrast!)

While describing Ivy's last meal prior to being disfellowshipped/shunned by her Jehovah's Witness family: "I thought they could've at least thrown me a going-away elder party in the back room of the Kingdom Hall, but instead we went to Olive Garden....Since it was the last time we would be able to actually sit down for a meal together, why not do it over unlimited bread sticks and salad?" (Reading this, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.)

On Watchtower charity: "I just don't see how going door to door and taking donut breaks is going to benefit mankind. Preaching the good news of god's kingdom isn't helping Sally Struthers feed the starving kids in Africa." (Thanks, Carrie, for breaking that down into simple terms anyone can comprehend--even 'spiritually weak' Jehovah's Witnesses on multiple donut breaks.)

For former Jehovah's Witnesses, the humor Carrie paints throughout Ivy's story is a refreshing "inside joke" yet underneath it all, we relate to the confusion, desperation for acceptance and bitter emptiness that we've all experienced from losing everything and everyone precious to us in the name of God. (Once again, that's God with a capital "G." Not that fake pagan god that everyone else worships--according to the Watchtower organization.)

As I read Carrie's book, I wondered: How could Jehovah's Witnesses possibly enjoy "paradise" in the New System when they can't even appreciate this life? When they are simply biding their time, trying to get through it and contributing little-to-nothing to society or to the longevity of their family bond?

Bravo, Carrie, for pouring your heart and soul into Ivy and giving a voice to Jehovah's Witness children around the world. It's one thing I tried to do with my book as well because children don't have voices. I'm proud of you for making your own paradise here on Earth, and I'm LUCKY to call you friend. (Oops, did I just say "lucky?")

Brenda Lee, author of:
"Out of the Cocoon: A Young Woman's Courageous Flight
from the Grip of a Religious Cult"
www.outofthecocoon.net