After one passes ones seed, are they rendered useless? Unless, except for nurture of seed?

I used to ask my Mother, "What is the point of life?" Sympathetically she would retort, "To have children."

I remember that answer used to make me so angry. How dare we not have a KNOWN purpose or goal. How dare there be factors of decision that forks paths beyond my control.

I needed an answer, and for many years I have been empty.

I do recall being happy once for a good chunk of time... it was right after Odessa was born. It must have been the first time my brain fuction/chemicals were working properly.