Flyer111: I think that does clarify what you meant. I think we should always be cognizant that couples -- and familes -- without children are sometimes without them because (1) they could not conceive, (2) a child has died, (3) the couple is a same-sex couple, (4) there is a genetic problem should the couple reproduce, (5) the couple does not feel they want any children, or (6) a thousand other things. All of these things are totally legitimate.

I think your more recent post shows that you would NOT disagree with the notion that we should bestow the gift of compassion and understanding to all families -- and couples are, indeed, true families with or without children. (Of course, I think this goes for all individuals, not just "families," but since children and family are the source topic. . .)

By way of furthering that goal, I want to share what a couple without children recently told me. They do not have children by choice -- there are no medical problems. But they take an extremely active role in their church with the children there, as well as with many of the children in the husbands medical practice (he is a pediatrician). Being biologically childless has enabled them to give an enormous measure of love and charity to other children who desperately need it -- love and charity that otherwise (and properly) would have gone to their own children if they bore them.

So, rather than pitying those who do not have children (whether by choice or by circumstance), I'd rather look at those couples as possessing a wondrous gift that I DO NOT have: the gift of time and love that they can bestow on others who truly need it so very much. And even if it's not bestowed on other children, childless families are often more involved in community charities, fundraising for worthy causes, and other meaningful activities because they have the (1) time, (2) money, and (3) energy that biological parents spend on our own kids.

And just as we applaud their efforts and the joy they receive by investing themselves in other important endeavors besides rearing their own kids, I think they do by and large applaud ours for raising another healthy, happy, and loving generation.

. . .and that means we're all gonna be in the PC together at some point, no?

Thanks for clarifying your earlier post.

LF