Dear readers,
I’m having a tough morning. No worries. It will pass. But instead of a new post, I’m going to share some stories I’ve come across that you might find interesting. I would love to read your comments.
Hugs,
Sue
“The future of the church may belong to the fecund, but not the nuclear family” by Holly Stallcup, Religion News Service. Stallcup, who is childless in a very family-centered church, insists that bearing children is not the only way to serve God and the church. There are many other ways we can be fruitful. Amen to that.
“I wanted to be childfree, but lockdown robbed me of my last chance. Now I’m mourning the children I’ll never have” by Emma Burnell, Independent. When you’re 45, childless, divorced, and in the middle of a pandemic–where the odds of meeting a new man are slim, you might have to accept that you are really not going to have children, writes this UK author.
“I chose love over having children. Then came the emotional aftermath” by Jackie Shannon Hollis, author of This Particular Happiness: A Childless Love Story. Sunday Morning Herald, May 22, 2020. Read this essay by my sister Oregonian author. I’m sure it will ring some bells for most of you.
I also encourage you to look back at previous posts and see if there’s something you’d like to add.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As I have mentioned before, I’m putting together a “Best of Childless by Marriage” book from the blog. I am including many of your comments, all anonymous or by first names only. Many of you are better writers than I am. If you have any objection to having those comments in a book, both print and online, please let me know at sufalick@gmail.com, and I will remove them. I don’t want this to be an issue later, so please speak up by the end of June. Thank you.
Childless by Marriage 
I hope your week gets better Sue. Thanks for the links. You always find the best.
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Thanks, Silver!
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Sue,
For the first time in many, many years, I didn’t feel like chopped liver on Father’s Day. I bought a new truck back in March, and I love it. It’s a red, Ford F-150 Super can. 4 x 4. God blessed me with His divine providence. It still doesn’t mean I’m happy being childfree. I still plan on having kids at some point with my young lady friend. We’re in an Age Gap relationship and so far it’s working. Stay tuned.
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Congrats on the new truck and a better than usual Father’s Day!
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Thank you. Looking forward to your book.
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I hope you’re feeling a bit better now. Some great links I found the article by Emma very interesting. She chose to be childfree, but her article speaks to the difficulty we have when the choices are taken away–whether that happens through our bodies, our partners’ bodies, finances, or our partners’ choices. I know what that finality feels like, and I am sure the isolation of lockdown doesn’t help her. It just shows the complexities of childfree/childless lives.
The last article, too, reminded me of my sister. After a divorce, she met a man older than her who already had children and didn’t want any more. She said to me too that she “chose love,” having had a relationship where that didn’t work. I think that helps–knowing that there is a choice to take.
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Thanks for sharing this, Mali. I’m fine, and I have some great posts for the next couple weeks. Just needed to refill the well.
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Sue,
I’ve learned so much since I’ve been posting here. I know that I tick some of my posts, I’m sorry, but I’m not flaky. The most surprising thing I’ve learned here is that we men have biological clocks as well. Whenever I see young families with babies 👶, I immediately smile. This has been perplexing in many ways. I do wish we had more men here. Perhaps we will soon. Happy 4th !
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Happy Fourth to you, too, Tony. I wish we had more men here, too, but I’m always glad to see your comments. You have grown, my friend.
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Thank you for these articles. It is always good to read fresh material.
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Sue,
Thank you for your kind words. I think all who post here have grown.
Be safe,
Tony
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