[DanaC]

Infi, I think the fact that you believe I am envious of Monster's family life says rather more about you than it does about me. It also shows me very clearly how little you know me.

I read that description of Monster's life and a number of things go through my mind.

1. It doesn't appeal to me at all. In fact, if you were to design a personal hell just for me, that description would do pretty well as a starting premise.

I don't mean that in a nasty way, because:

2. It's a truly lovely thing to see a couple who are genuinely into each other and into their kids and bonded into a strong family unit. All snippiness and hostility aside, I'm pleased for her. They have every right to feel proud and happy at the life they have built together.

It's just not something that appeals to me. I like my life. I am single because I choose to be. And I have no children because I chose not to. I am living about as close to my ideal life as it is possible to be, without 100k in the bank and a slightly bigger house with a garden for the dog.

That said:

3. If I did hanker for all that; if I was lonely and wishing I had a loving husband and kids to care for, then that would have been a singularly cruel thing to post.