[Chainmail]

I had a friend who also chose not to have kids (or rather, his wife decided for him) and he lived just till a year ago dying in his mid-80s. He had a really rich life, loaded with great experiences (he was a fighter pilot during WW II in the CBI) and skills but he died lonely with nobody to pass those life lessons and skills on to. In my opinion, it was a shame. He was the kind of material we need more of in this country and now he's gone with nobody to follow in his tracks and keep his memory alive. I guess his legacy will be the money his widow will make, selling all of his paraphernalia on e-bay.

I can't speak for your parents, but I would be severely disappointed if any of my children chose not to have kids/didn't want to be a Marine.

[Huntress]

I had a friend who also chose not to have kids (or rather, his wife decided for him) and he lived just till a year ago dying in his mid-80s. He had a really rich life, loaded with great experiences (he was a fighter pilot during WW II in the CBI) and skills but he died lonely with nobody to pass those life lessons and skills on to. In my opinion, it was a shame.

Did he express any regret at not having had children? If not, why fault him for not choosing the path you chose?

I would be severely disappointed if any of my children chose not to have kids/didn't want to be a Marine.

It's not about what you want or your legacy.

[goodnesswins]

What about nieces and nephews? What about other kids he could have taken under his wing...even as just an advisor, or big brother of sorts. If he’d really had something he wanted passed on, he would have....