Jill, a Non-Conformist

Jill,

a Non-Conformist

Why be part of a group if you don’t want to follow its practices and mores? Most people would leave such a group. Marginal interest in a group’s activities leaves a person feeling left out or worse, looked down upon. In Baggage Burdens. Jill some times finds herself in such groups. They aren’t of her choosing. Her failure to conform to their values and behaviors makes her life difficult.

Jill’s first unsatisfactory group is her high school peers. In this party-loving group Jill meets Dave, an attractive acquaintance, and Robin, a close friend. Jill is seen as an odd ball at school because she refuses to attend social functions that permit alcohol. She rejects what her teen-age friends see as normal weekend activities because of her father. His drinking results in violent behavior at home. His belittling accusations and cruel actions embarrasses her. Better to be a non-conformist than an ill-behaved daughter. 

Jill marries Joseph. They move to his home on the farm. At first she’s welcomed into Joseph’s Orthodox Community Church. Jill enrolls in summer school courses to earn her grade twelve diploma. While it is her source of pride, it is the community’s censure. Jill should focus on the traditional woman’s role––care for your husband and your children. Jill starts home schooling her daughter, Amber instead of sending her to the church school. Jill’s position as a community member takes another hit. Her non-conformist actions leave her feeling isolated, especially after the church services.

Can you find fault with a group for wanting little to do with someone who frequently challenges their long established and respected practices? One might expect a church to be more loving. It was. When Jill gave birth to her first two children, she received their enthusiastic support. Sympathetic expressions came quickly when her third child died at birth. Neighbors participated at the birthday parties of her eldest son, Daniel. They pitched in to help build a new work shed for Joseph and an extension to the house when the size of Jill’s family increased. However, when Jill’s actions differed from their expectations, disapproval was expressed.

Be a non-conformists, choose to walk the path less traveled and expect to be alone.

Who do you know who doesn’t really fit in?

How did the host group treat them?

Was it fair?

In Baggage Burdens. Jill is not the only who lived a life that was different from the rest of the church community. The next blog looks at how Uncle Mike, Joseph and Martin Shopka faired in the church Community.