This will probably offend some people with children. I realize that. However, I am sick of an out spoken number of "parents" judging my husband and I because we chose, at this point, not to have children.
How many people deep down inside know that either they or their bundle of joy wasn't planned? A night on the town, a power outage, one too many and - BAM... you are a parent. Happens to a lot of people... some married ... some not. It is the way many of us came into being... nothing wrong with it. Please don't look down your nose at me because we choose to spoil our nieces, nephews, and god daughter rather than pro-create. I prefer to take the roll of that Crazy Auntie that always buys the cool gift or sneaks cash to my beloved younger family members or is able to babysit. I love being able to be there for the children that are important in my life and their parents. I also want to caution people that feel morally superior of childless couples that many maybe childless due to medical issues that have torn at their hearts.
Why did we make the decision? Well, part of it was selfish and in a way part of it wasn't. If more people thought about the children and whether they had all of these things: time, money, interest and passion for raising the future...would we need social workers, foster homes, and DCS? I am not sure if it so much takes a village as it takes the last thing, a passion for raising children, maybe above all others...
I bring this up because I read an article about a confrontation between Sen. Barbara Boxer and Dr. Rice. Senator Boxer suggested that Dr. Rice didn't have a personal stake in the war in Iraq because of her personal status, single / no kids. Well, I can assure you she has a personal stake (how much time daily does she spend on the Iraq War?) because I have and do. Dr. Rice chose to dedicate her life to serving our country. How easy is it to "date" when you are National Security Advisor or Secretary of State or Provost at Stanford? The pool of eligible, worthy and interested men aren't the same as they are in high school.
Since the war started, I have sent a co worker off to war from my office of 8 people. We organized care packages, helped his family, and kept his position waiting for him when he got home. My god daughter's father has served a duty in Iraq and two stints in Korea. My father was the captain of an ammo ship during the first gulf war where I also had a close college friend that served. Don't assume Senator Boxer that the lack of giving birth limits a person's connection to our troops. Being a Conservative woman, I have a more likely chance to be connected personally with young men with the honour, love of country, and passion for democracy and freedom to serve our country than you do as a liberal dove, Senator Boxer...
This quote is a bit off.. but it is one of my favorites from
"A Few Good Men" "....You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall.
We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. ... "
Col. Nathan Jessup, played by Jack Nickelson.Gotta love Jack .... My mother hates this movie because of the way Tom Cruise wipes the floor constantly with his uniform. She thinks it is disrespectful .. she is right .. however, I love the movie.
I will get off my soap box. Go hug your kids or a serviceman or servicewoman....
