Smiled that cynical smile when I read Secretwhisper and your post... and I fully relate. Some of the very excuses I've concocted are due to the pain it would inflict on others. One of mine was my birthday... but I couldn't do it as the wife and I share almost the same day and I acknowledged it would taint those days for her for ever more.

Another excuse is the children the wife wants, that were I to die, she would have to start the dating game again and we've both left it pretty late as it is to think of kids.

But are they stupid reasons? None of the reasons you gave seemed stupid to me... they showed your love for those you care about... and that says a lot about your character and strength to keep going in my opinion.