how little regard our DNA shows for us--it slices and splices and recombines itself in every generation, so that the extended gene sequences that are "us" disappear as quickly as possible. That DNA is a user.

I think this knowledge is what makes me feel guilty about stopping it here. My mother's a biochemist who counts splicing DNA among the things she may do in a typical work day. When she asks about grandchildren she's a bare-souled slave to her DNA. It's a very compelling plea, since that genetic vehicle thing runs pretty strongly in me too.

I know I don't want kids because I'm selfish, and I know I want them because I'm selfish.

So...lazy wins.

I like Cheerios, which are also supposed to be good for one's cholesterol. I'm weird about the texture of my food so oatmeal per se wigs me out.

So...lazy wins.

According to vw's definition, this means you should make your own.

As a science person, it sometimes puzzles me why people wouldn't want to pass their genes along to the next generation

Have you met my genes? That lot...you might want to cross the street when you see them coming.

And once again, Steph speaks my mind about the 'selfish' comment. I honestly don't think the woman who said it to me meant to be mean, she was just so strung out on her own guilt for wanting to be free of her situation. Very sad really.

As it turns out, I'm madly in love with other people's good parenting and am a vocal supporter of people who as Cindy put it, are madly in love with their kids. Not much makes me happier to observe.

Plus, as a person with a dog rather than a child, I end up doing a lot more in my community...for the greater good...than I'm sure I would if I was focusing on children. Yes, it is true that raising good kids deserves the medal of honor in my mind...I'm just afraid I would not have had the energy to do it well.

So now I'm the 'cool old lady' to a fantastic 16 year old over whom I have way more influence than I would if I were actually related to him!

Have you met my genes? That lot...you might want to cross the street when you see them coming.

Heh. I was thinking of Patton Oswalt's line when we saw him New Year's Eve, as he recounted how awful his family had turned out: "Genetically speaking, my balls are full of POISON!"

'cool old lady'

I kinda really want to be this. The one that blood and adopted nieces and nephews can come to when they don't feel they can go to their parents. Another Adult Role Model. It's a whole different flavor of love.

"Genetically speaking, my balls are full of POISON!"

I'm not even kidding about how true this is for my line. I stand proud as the one who stopped it all here.

Another Adult Role Model. It's a whole different flavor of love.

This literally brought tears to my eyes.

There are three young people in the world that I've really been there for and the pride I feel at being gifted with their trust and in the choices they have made fills me up so much it leaks out of my eyes.

Yes, Cass - beat the children.

It's for their own good. Somehow. Um, can I get a handwave over here?

There is really just the one I want to throttle. She's been screaming for HOURS. Usually for her dad in that, "I am too SELFISH to go and get him so I will scream until he finds me instead. Or that mean neighbor lady looks for a projectile weapon." way.

You know, the thing that actually pisses me off most about this rudeness is what if they're trying and can't get pregnant, and you've just opened up that can of worms? I mean, it's wrong for any reason, but I'm watching my brother and SIL try and try and not get pregnant, and people ask them when they're gonna have kids, and it breaks my SIL. I just want to smack 'em.

So much this. The three years I spent struggling with infertility would have been so much easier had every. single. person. not been asking incessantly when DexH and I were going to have kids.

I don't know where I stand on trying again. I would like a child (one and only one, though, kthxbye). We'll see. It may very well just not be in the cards.