This was excellent insight, of course. I found myself to be my mother's favorite of six children, and was the only one who left the hometown. I felt constant guilt but needed to leave. And because of growing up in a large family with hardly any resources, I did not want children. I wanted only to wander the world as a writer and journalist with my wife. When a child did arrive, I was as committed to its health and joy as deeply as I was my own. The connection to our only child, a daughter, has been profoundly wonderful. But what would I know of its absence had she never been born? My life would have been fine, either way, but I am grateful to have known fatherhood to a girl who has turned out to be an amazing young woman. As for the wards you mention, the last one of those we had in our family was with us 17.5 years, and when I had to take him in and hold him as his heart was stopped, I lost complete control and was asked to leave the vet's office by the back door. I can't take the pain of losing more animals out of my life.
Yes, many books could be written about the pain of the empty nest. I don't even go into her bedroom any more.
This was excellent insight, of course. I found myself to be my mother's favorite of six children, and was the only one who left the hometown. I felt constant guilt but needed to leave. And because of growing up in a large family with hardly any resources, I did not want children. I wanted only to wander the world as a writer and journalist with my wife. When a child did arrive, I was as committed to its health and joy as deeply as I was my own. The connection to our only child, a daughter, has been profoundly wonderful. But what would I know of its absence had she never been born? My life would have been fine, either way, but I am grateful to have known fatherhood to a girl who has turned out to be an amazing young woman. As for the wards you mention, the last one of those we had in our family was with us 17.5 years, and when I had to take him in and hold him as his heart was stopped, I lost complete control and was asked to leave the vet's office by the back door. I can't take the pain of losing more animals out of my life.