Reply #190: I don't feel the need to list my reasons why I did not choose their lifestyle

[joeglow3]

Look at Sarah's post about how sorry she feels for me. The arrogant condescending tone is equal to that of some religious nut pushing their views on me and telling they feel sorry for me and wish I only knew better.

I could list the reasons I feel sorry for her. I could explain how I have lived the single life, the married life without kids and the married life with kids and can make an accurate comparions (as opposed to someone who has not, but feels the need to lecture me on how THEY are the expert). I could share the story of friends of my parents who are in their 60's, are only children, whose parents died, who have no kids. I could explain how it is hard for them to do so many of the things they enjoyed and they now talk about how lonely and miserable they are.

I chose not to do those things because I am secure with my decisions and don't feel the need to "feel sorry" for others to rationalize it.