re: Life: what makes a good one?

Throw perceived life expectancy out the window unless you've been diagnosed with something. Just b/c your mom died young doesn't mean your going to. I got into my first funk after I got married and had kids, mostly b/c I was way more tired all the time. I'm good now, still have young ones, but literally had to wake up one day and realize I don't wanna miss their childhood having felt miserable all the time b/c of work. I cut back my auto glass work and slowed down overtime at fire dept to be off more and of course felt better. I've got many friends who don't wanna have kids and some who don't wanna get married and they are all very happy people, you don't have to be married and have kids to be happy, marriage and kids doesn't have to make you unhappy either. It's all what you make of it.