Choices (Dealing With Your Life's Decisions)

I read a pretty humorous post. I subscribed to this point of view many years ago. Irony has the last laugh, but that's another post. Here is the post I am referring to:
Children Are Not Our Friends.

Here is an entry I posted on my other blog to defend the choice of a rather popular blogger that MADE the decision to not have children. I respect her decision and the following paragraphs explain why.

Many people live life and do not make their own choices. They have kids because everyone else does, they get married because it is expected and they buy a home because it is the "American Dream". Later when it is too late, they realize they hate kids, they were better off alone and they hate mowing the lawn. You are the one that has to wake up every morning and live your life, not them.

For this reason, I have learned to intellectually and politely rattle those that choose to confront me with their perception of how life should be. Those that stop and say "Seven??!!" with sarcasm and a hint of a superiority complex in their voices. Those that smugly chuckle, "Why? Are you insane?" No, I am not...but I am raising five biological children and two that are not biologically mine. Why?? Because they were better off with me, inspite of all my flaws. My niece was in a situation where she needed the love, affection, and stability that I could offer her. I have had her in my life since she was born and the fact that my ex-husband abandoned me, didn't mean I in turn would abandon her. In the case of the second child I care for, his mother walked away from him when he was 7. A child that has been bounced around from home to home, not feeling like he belonged or was really wanted...but was being endured. I gave birth to his little brother and decided that he too should indulge in the blessings his sibling was born into. He now enjoys a large home in the country with excellent schools. So I opened my doors and my heart to a child that was let down by so many.

Is it easy? No. It isn't, but I have chosen the road less traveled to try to alter the lives of some young people from a path that could be detrimental to their futures. Am I perfect, no. Seriously, I never tell them that I am. I try my best to do what I can and be what they need. It is work and it is difficult, as you know there aren't any vacations, no sick leave, no days off. My reward is in the future. It is the day that I can see that they have prospered and become, responsible, loving, law abiding citizens. My question to those that dare interrogate me is "Would you have done the same?" "Do you have the perseverance and fortitude to walk in my shoes?"

Everyone makes decisions and others should respect them. Make your decisions and be responsible for them. Don't judge others for the decisions they have made. If you can't edify, encourage or inspire someone than at least don't tear them down.