I
was talking with an acquaintance from high school. We hadn’t spoke in about 21 years.
It
was real nice catching up until she said she and her husband never had any children. She chuckled and said “I always
tell people that I missed something in my life…not that I’m sorry I didn’t have kids…I mean, we’ve
been able to travel, we have our toys, we can get up and go whenever we want.”
My mouth dropped
to the floor. I didn’t know what to say. Was she kidding?!
Maybe
I misunderstood. Maybe there was a lack of communication. Maybe I’m not selfish.
Did she imply that just because I have five kids and my nephew that we don’t travel? Because
if that[‘s the case then she’s mistaken. We’ve traveled. I’ve (we’ve) been to
Florida three times, I’ve been to Colorado and all points in between. We’ve seen Canada. I know
these may not seem like exotic destinations but it’s where we’ve wanted to go. After I let my annoyance
simmer I told her that she might have missed the best part of her life by not having kids. There are so many moments she’ll
never experience. I didn’t go into details about what experiences…let her think about it. I then
said some people just don’t have nor want children…that’s their choice, who am I to judge? Catching
up seemed to halt. Silence filled the telephone line. We quickly said our goodbyes. I went back to my kids and home and she
went back to her toys and travels. So who’s the better person here? I think we’re equal. We
just have different views, opinions and lives. Something’s aren’t the same as they were in
high school.
We’d spend countless hours at the movies, the malls and each other’s houses. Those days are gone. I miss
them…but I’m happy where I am now. And I think my kids will agree.
