W-O-W,
The point is simply that a religious life is not for everyone. It works superbly for some people and brings much happiness to their lives and for others it simply does not work and they are happier living without it.
People as much as they are similar to each other are different from each other. The way of life that made you able to cope with the hardships of your life may make coping impossible for someone else-its just how it is.
If your son chooses a different way of life then you that is not a reason for you to beat yourself up or be upset at him.
Believe it or not there is not one way of life that works for everyone and by accepting this fact you will only gain his respect.