>>As much as I respect your right to do that, I fear that “planning well” very seldom works out. The number of people in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospices, who are totally alone, no visitors, no pictures, no caring circle, is legion. The unexpected death of a spouse is less impactful on those who have a circle of family to provide that loving support.<<
Having kids changes that not a whit. It just provides a cynical selfish reason to have kids. Which frequently turns out sadly ironic,
Kids today often live great distances from the parents so expecting them to help you out is virtually impossible.
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Is “loving support” really cynical? Don’t we all need a circle of “loving support” just to get through this life? Or is love a cynical and selfish reason?