To me there is a difference between the uncertainties of life and the knowledge of death happening soon. Most all go into a relationship feeling that they will not leave the other person in tears, not even thinking about the potential of death happening soon. But it seems irresponsible to get into a relationship knowing that if everything goes wonderfully, it will end with the other person in tears. It makes more since to just not let them be involved in the pain.

Just so everyone knows, my family has been trying to get me to date and I refuse because I have a heart condition that has been 100% fatal to all who develop it. They don't know what causes it, and there is no cure so death is certain. The average life span of someone with this condition is about 10 years, but due to me not seeing a doctor right after the symptoms developed, I had between about 5 or 7 and that was two years ago. There is no constant pain or anything like that and I am not disabled by it, I do have frequent hospital visits as a result however (was hospitalized 6 times last year). I already have a 13 year old, so there is someone to live on for me so to speak. At this point to me it just seems selfish to get involved as it would only be making my time a little nicer for the pain that it would cause someone else.

And if a child came of a new relationship, that would end up being a fatherless child (another concept I don't handle well). I have had two relationships in my life that lasted less then 2 years, the other 3 lasted over 4 years (with my last lasting 11 years).

Also, I really do appreciate the replies on this topic, it is a tricky one for a lot of people. I am very much a logical person and the facts have to make since for me to change my mind. Not being able to see the other side of the coin properly due to my situation, it is logical for me to find out what people in general think. Thus, here I am. Hoping to either satisfy my family that I am making the right choice or have my mind changed based on the facts.