Half and theKid returned from their travels, and I must say \u2013 family is everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unless it isn\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Methinks if I had not succumbed to marriage, and if Half had not insisted on being fruitful and multiplying, I believe I would not have missed what I did not have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me explain (or not \u2026 you [Other Person You] are free to leave at any time, whereas wherever I go, there I am \u2026 to paraphrase the sage wisdom of PigKiller) digress<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to meeting Half, I was very comfortable in my singleness \u2026 singledom \u2026 singlelarium \u2026 and actually quite content with the idea of living, and ultimately dying, alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Envisioned a spread of farm property maintained by a gay couple (see John Connolly\u2019s Angel and Louis \u2026 perfect) and lots and lots and LOTS of dogs, with a huge main house but residing in an apartment over the barn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So plenty of company, no real human commitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Met Half, and realized that this was all or absolutely, positively, completely and unquestionably nothing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI do.\u201d Late to the wedding (heh) but arrived in plenty of time. Got lots of looks askance, but hey, we still made it to official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, look. A baby. A squalling, poopy, and insistent ball of joy and purpose, relying entirely on Half and other half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh wow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s get another one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GOD said, \u201cI have something better in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That something better? Maximize the one given. So true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The point?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the decision is to remain childless\/free, enjoy. Life can be fulfilled (and fulfilling!) without kids. And around these parts it is strongly recommended not<\/em><\/strong> to have children \u2026 have you seen the world\/economy\/climate\/social unrest lately? And it\u2019s only going to get worse. {Matthew 24:19<\/em>}<\/p>\n\n\n\n But.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have kids \/ want kids \/ suffering from an acute case of the baby rabies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n By all means \u2026 enjoy. Love them more than you think you can, then pile on. Children are the debt we (the collective, social we) owe to the future, and are the physical embodiment of hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because without, it ends. Lineage, bloodline, legacy, life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But either \u2013 childfree or childfull \u2013 is perfectly okay, and permanent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose wisely. And know thyself. \u2026 check out r\/regretfulparents [shuddercringe<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Full disclosure? I\u2019m glad Half chose for me, for all of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, it would have been the worst mistake I never knew I\u2019d made.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Half and theKid returned from their travels, and I must say \u2013 family is everything. Unless it isn\u2019t. Methinks if I had not succumbed to marriage, and if Half had not insisted on being fruitful and multiplying, I believe I would not have missed what I did not have. Let me explain (or not \u2026 … <\/p>\n
Your substantial resources dedicated to that<\/em> one, and that<\/em> one will be ah-may-hay-zing!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But remember: your heart will always hurt.
Maybe in a good way, hopefully not in a bad, but the ache is constant.
And you will be broke, mostly. Altho\u2019 you can\u2019t take it with you, gonna need some in the meantime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n