You don’t say. The famous folk singer is 62! But of course she could adopt. I actually don’t have a problem if women say they never want to have children so long as they conduct themselves with integrity as they follow that course. Not everyone is meant to have children, much as we might like to. Some people care for other people’s children. Some people save unborn children. There are all sorts of things the childless can do, things that are very, very valuable.
Stevie doesn’t want to lose her freedom though, and that strikes me as a not-so-great reason not to have kids. Though I do suppose children hinder your total and complete freedom. But what you lose in freedom you gain in love. Loving anyone does limit freedom as you consider their needs above your own. Love implies some level of dependence. It’s a trade off.
Well, at least we can listen to Stevie as we ponder all these things. Love this song.
by 
I loved Stevie Nicks so much in high school that, for a brief period, I insisted people call me Stevie. My boyfriend had Leather and Lace (with Tom Petty) as one of “Our Songs” (I married the guy).
But, since she dabbled in witchcraft ETC, I later rejected her.
And my kids still freak out when I can sing all of her songs to the last lyric.
I learned to love Stevie from my older siblings-mostly the two who do not/never will have children. For the same reasons.
Now that they are in their late 50’s, they seem bored and depressed. They have always been kind to my kids (well, one has-the other could care less). I don’t know if I can handle one more Christmas card about how many squirrels hit their bird feeder this year.
And yet, I am certain this is more about my weakness than theirs.
(p.s. has spring come your way yet? cuz it seems to have missed us here in Iowa).
Thanks for these things to ponder today
The language of that Enteratinment article kind of creeps me out. Too many people speak as children as though they were pets, and pets as if they were children. Even that quote “took on another son” sounds like picking up accessories.
Christy, I did notice that, in particular the “took on another son.” First of all, who says that? It’s poor English. But yes, it does make children sound like an extra appointment to put in your iPhone. “I took on marathon training!” “I took on a son!” Strange.
@MB, spring is proving evasive here, too… Sigh.
Again, “freedom” is confused with “license”. It is impossible, in a material universe, to escape all constraints and restraints on our freedom, if it is defined as “doing what I want, when I want to do it, especially as it relates to my sexual behaviour”. One could (and I believe should) see children as contributing mightily to freedom, especially to love. After all, in most of our relationships, we experience certain constraints on being able to love: perhaps the person we love is uncomfortable with public displays of affection, or we know he/she dislikes a few of our personal traits. With children, though, there is no judgement, only glee in accepting the love and care of all who offer it. I find it very liberating, indeed.
Don Henley as been quoted as saying that he impregnated Stevie back in the day and that she had an abortion, and in the aftermath of that, she wrote the song Sara as a tribute to the lost child. This quote was read to Stevie and she said something to the effect that Don shoots off his mouth too much.
Freedom exists for love’s sake. To orient our freedom towards the love of another is the greatest expression of our personal freedom.
Your comments about freedom and love are brilliant, Andrea. I’d just quibble with the notion of a “trade off.” That implies a zero sum game, that to get some love we must lose some freedom. I don’t think we trade away our freedom by orienting ourselves towards love… but rather, that use of our freedom to make a commitment of love is the deepest expression of freedom. What makes freedom a valuable thing to have in the first place is the very fact that it enables us to love. We are most free when we love. I don’t think it’s a trade off at all, but a deeper realization of the meaning of our freedom.
Many years ago I read an interview with Nicks. She’s had several abortions. She’d find herself pregnant at the same time Mick Fleetwood wanted to take the band on tour. And then she lamented not being surrounded by children.
Freedom is STEVIE’S FREEDOM (and mine) to have however many abortions she wanted/wants. She wasn’t fit for motherhood in the height of her success and she knew it herself.
Also, Stevie has never “dabbled in witchcraft.” Get A LIFE.
Blow? Yes. Witchcraft? NO.
I love Stevie whatever she does. Stop judging. I don’t have kids either-never wanted any. LOVE my freedom love filed life.
I cannot believe this kind of thinking still exists!!!
Stevie Nicks is free, as any woman is, to with her body as she wishes. The way I see it Stevie wrote some of the most beautiful music ever, which will transcend time. She put more beauty into this world than most of us ever will and has spread more joy than we can even begin to imagine. Stevie Nicks has lead a life that was meaningful and we are all better for it. Like Tina T. said, “Stop judging”.
I’m sorry but it’s not about the freedom to do what you want with your body when it involves an innocent life. It’s not like getting a tattoo, it’s murdering a defenseless baby. I actually love Stevie, but am saddened to hear about that and I do not judge, or try not to, however I do get sick whenever I think of abortions and feel they are a horrible mistake. There are other options out there, like adoption. It’s sad when the miracle of life and children are seen as a nusiance. All the things and people in life that we enjoy, what if we had never experienced that because our parents aborted us? For those considering abortion, don’t. For those who want beautiful music, listen to Stevie’s songs.