Marriage, babies, and more.

Yesterday, a friend of mine told me she is expecting a baby, so naturally, I am very excited! Small screaming and pooing objects are a source of endless curiosity for me. I cannot wait to meet the little thing.

Today, someone commented on my previous post - that the majority of those people are in relationships or married. I found it interesting that he noticed something like that. I didn't.

Currently, I have friends at every stage of life:

• single
• dating
• married
• pregnant
• having babies
• having 'families'

What I find interesting is that there is something in all of us, something wired into our very being which desires to be in relationship with others. In the Shawshank Redemption, there is very moving scene where one of the characters is released from the prison that has been his home for most of his life. And he finds himself in a world he doesn't recognise and where he doesn't fit in. Eventually, he kills himself.

How would we cope if all our relationships were taken away one day, if we were stranded with no one for companionship? We are all relational beings, even those of us who are introverts and who need time away from others. We were created for community. And that is why I think we look forward to marriage and family life. We are excited to share our lives with others.

People who are single may sometimes struggle to celebrate genuinely and honestly with those who have found love. What should be joy ends up feeling like resentment and jealousy.

Let us learn to rejoice with those who rejoice. Let us not resent what others have because we, too, want it. Let us be pleased for the sucesses of others.

"May heaven grant you in all things your heart's desire - husband, house and a happy peaceful home. For there is nothing better in this world than that a man and woman, sharing the same ideas, keep house together. It discomforts their enemies and makes the hearts of their friends glad - but they themselves know more about it than anyone."

Homer, The Odyssey