The Greatest Blessing

Let's talk a minute about what many consider the greatest blessing on earth: children. Children are indeed a blessing...when you WANT them, when you can SUPPORT them, and when you can RAISE them well. Otherwise, they aren't exactly the world's greatest blessing now are they?

I know that sometimes children come into the world at, to say the least, inopportune times. And this blog is not to say that children are decidely or even necessarily a burden. However, in my professional line of work, I interact with many individuals who should never have even thought about having children, much less actually done it. No matter, as I have no control over other people's decisions (or lack thereof, as the case may be). It just baffles me, and sometimes outrages me, at the lack of decision-making that goes into something that should be, at minimum, intentional and conceptually planned.

I have many children in my life that I love dearly, but I want and wish better for them. They did not CHOOSE to be here, but because of others' poor decisions, are having to live lives that are not only unfulfilled, but also difficult and restrictive. I wish for them to be able to experience life as they deserve, not fundamentally one of wealth and privilege, but simply one of love and relative ease. A life behind rose-colored glasses that all children deserve, with parents who will teach them how lucky and blessed they are.

I spent a good deal of my time this past weekend with a group of extremely bright, motivated, and even physically attractive 30+ year olds. What else did they all have in common? They were all single and childless...and happy about it. Life can still be fulfilling without the joy of children.

So, what's my beef? What's my pancake? Well, this topic is what I call the law of stupid. The stupider you are, the more likely you are to have children. The dumbing down of the human race. Scary, isn't it? Talk about something that makes me want to scream! Why aren't the intelligent, educated, successful homosapiens having children?! Because they recognize the importance of only doing something when it can be done well and when the time is right. A concept that I wish we could instill in other members of our species.