13 Years Old, and NO, I Don't Want Kids!

When I was 13 years old (in 1987), I decided I wanted to be a great American Football player, like Mean Joe Green.  I wasn't strong, fast, tall, and I had surely never played the game before; but, that wasn't important to me.  So, I went down to Webster Intermediate School, and took the first step; the physical, which consisted of taking my temperature, blood pressure and of course the urine sample.
After the physical, I was called by the nurse, who ran the whole process, and told that my urine had too much protein in it; and, that I would have to go to the doctor to be released to play middle school sports.  I went home and begged my mother to make an appointment with our family physician, so I could follow my dreams of greatness.
My mother, whom I call "Glo," has always been the outspoken, spiritual rock in our family.  Glo loves God, always has a smile on her face, a song to sing, and never backs down from a fight; although, she only stands 4'10''.  Glo made the appointment with the doctor, and off we went to settle this matter, for good.

The appointment went as planned, with the usual blood work and vital signs; however, we were confronted with some abnormal results.  I was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis, which the doctor said was a childhood kidney disease that I would most likely grow out of, in time.  Simply stated, the filters (Glomerulo) in my kidney (nephr) were inflamed (itis).  I thought to myself, "No big deal.  I've had worse."  So, Glo and I left the doctor's office, and headed back home; all the while, cutting up and laughing.
We arrived at home, and went our separate ways. Glo went to her room to take a shower, and I went to my room to add to the mess that was waiting for its leader.  After a couple of minutes, I decided I wanted to go outside and hang out with my friends; so, I walked into my mom's room, and faced one of the most powerful experiences of my life.  I walked up to her bathroom door; and before I could knock, I heard my mother, our rock, sobbing and praying out loud to God.  She was broken.
I turned away, without ever knocking on the door, and retreated back to my cave.  I sat on my bed, for what seemed like forever, looking for answers.  Here she was, the toughest lady I've ever known, hurting because of me.  I couldn't feel her pain.  I couldn't do anything to remedy her pain.
I determined that I was already vulnerable enough, with a pending kidney disease, that may or may not go away.  I knew (and still know, now) that I wasn't anywhere as tough as Glo.  At that moment, I realized that all parents are forever vulnerable through their children's pain; and, that I never wanted to be like those people.  Soon, after that realization, an adult asked me, "How old are you?" and I replied, "I'm 13 years old, and NO, I don't want kids!"