I’m 75 now and never had children or even one child. But I also lived a pretty disruptive childhood, not having the kind of blessed childhood many others did. At age 8 or 9 I was looking around for a woman who would adopt me. Turns out after working with a fabulously calm, smart, and patient Jungian therapist, he let me in on “the secret” about my mother when he slid a dark green book with Narcissus looking at himself in a pond, and said, “I think this book is about your mother.” I could have become her - but it really has turned out I’ve had some serendipitous things happen to me all along my longish life. Survived things I shouldn’t have survived. I’ve survived so much by now - I’m kinda wondering what age serendipity just cuts out. Best things that ever happened to me - went to Hawaii for 6 months , ended up staying a decade - the 1970s best one ever. Developed into an accomplished pianist. Started writing a little in my 20s, started journaling age 45 and still going. Got very sick with a genetic liver disease (12 long years) and wrote 2 romance novel and my cat’s memoir while I was sick, got a transplant at one of the best hospitals in the country/world. Niw finishing a 3rd novel. I am poor as fuck, but my life is still rich.
I knew at age 21 I wouldn’t have kids until I figured out what my mother and grandmother were all about. But by then - too late. I had a fabulous dog who was famous in my lively neighborhood and park in Denver. After he was gone, I’ve had cats! Life is still rich and I’m still curious.