-Gilbert K. Chesterton
I know that many societies aren't producing replacement numbers of children anymore, but you couldn't prove it by my family- or my church family, for that matter. The nursery at our church is over crowded and overrun right now, with so many toddlers and babies that they've had to extend it into the fellowship hall with a fenced in area for the toddlers to play in. And there are more on the way, with nine of the ladies at the church pregnant... oops, seven now, because my sister and one of the others have had their babies. I'm actually going to another double baby shower at the church this Saturday... all these babies are getting expensive. There are also a large number of kids of above nursery age, which makes for a lively congregation. There's a sizeable copse of trees to one side of the church's parking lot, and generally when I arrive, there are numerous children climbing, hanging out of, and playing under them. Several of them- generally the ones hanging from the trees- are, admittedly, my nephews. Loud and chaotic? Sometimes. Vibrant and a blessing? Always. There's nothing better than congregational singing when you can hear the voices of children lifted in song, enthusiastic if not always on key, blending with the voices of adults of all ages. I'll never understand weirdos who don't like kids; they're a hoot, and I struggle to think of any occasion which they don't make more interesting, one way or another. Well, maybe funerals (I could tell you a few stories) but pretty much anything else- Christmas, weddings, etc.- are in my opinion vastly improved by the presence of children. If you don't have any in your life, I feel sorry for you.
-Gilbert K. Chesterton