The reality

I don’t need pictures of your children.

I don’t need sympathy or half-hearted smiles.

I don’t want to change a diaper so that I can have the experience.

I don’t want to hear, “Why don’t you adopt?”

I don’t keep track of which babysitter is best.

I don’t think to ask for booster seats in restaurants.

I don’t attend science fairs or piano recitals.

I don’t look at school districts when buying a house.

I don’t babyproof things unless it’s for my own safety.

I don’t care about Father’s Day.

I don’t have one. I can’t be one.

I detest the third Sunday in June, but even so,

I love my life and wouldn’t change it.

That includes the day when I said goodbye to the possibility of their existence.

Nick Gaffney