Thanks for sharing that Blessings. I too agree...it does sound dissmissive and that can be annoying when one just needs to debrief.

Vonn, I agree with you too as I am in a similar situation to yours. I was widowed 8 years ago and we chose to not have children; but I'm independant and only have a mortgage which should be paid off in the next ten years. I very much enjoy my humble life as it is and I also limit who I associate with and when.

Those who repeatedly use dissmissive statements and/or who seem incapable of understanding and accepting others' limitations with compassion are not a part of my life to any great degree; as I think that it is healthier to make our social choices wisely and to do what makes us happy .

With love, Erika