"Cat’s In The Cradle"
by Harry Chapin, 1974
My child arrived just the other day. He came to the world in the usual way, but there were planes to catch and bills to pay. He learned to walk while I was away, and he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew he'd say, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad. You know I'm gonna be like you."
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon. “When you comin' home, Dad?” “I don't know when, but we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then.”
My son turned ten just the other day. He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play. Can you teach me to throw?" I said, "Not today I got a lot to do." He said, "That's ok,” and he walked away, but his smile never dimmed and said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah. You know I'm gonna be like him."
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon. “When you comin' home, Dad?” “I don't know when, but we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then.”
Well, he came from college just the other day. So much like a man I just had to say, "Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?" He shook his head and said with a smile, "What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys. See you later, can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon. “When you comin' home, Dad?” “I don't know when, but we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then.”
I've long since retired, my son's moved away. I called him up just the other day. I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind." He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time. You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu, but it's sure nice talking to you, Dad. It's been sure nice talking to you." And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me, he'd grown up just like me. My boy was just like me.
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon. “When you comin' home, Dad?” “I don't know when, but we'll get together then. You know we'll have a good time then.”
Note: I recently wrote a blog entitled, “The Power of Words.” As I was finishing I thought of this song published over forty years ago, but the message is still true today. Take the time to be with the ones you love and admire, regardless of their age.
Stan Means
Elder Source Senior Ministries
(The picture above is from thosecatholicmen.org. I did a photo search after copying the lyrics above. Liking the picture, I clicked on the site and found a blog by Bryan Gonzalez entitled, “Too Busy – Really?” The blog, which ironically mentions the Harry Chapin song above, is worth reading.)