As I must have mentioned a million times already, I've been REALLY busy with work. Working a lot of late nights, a lot of weekends, drives up to Milwaukee and a little traveling here and there...I have been working non-stop. It's been a bit unfair to poor little Ben, since a lot of the time I've gotta hand him off to Dave or keep his attention busy with television or toys.

When Dave was busy with studying for his boards, or when he was on-call all the time I would always sing to him the song "Cats in a Cradle" by Cat Stevens. He, in turn, would sing it when I was traveling. For those of you who have never heard it, it's about a father who is always busy, and his son is yearning to spend time with him. When the father actually stops to spend time with his son, it's too late, the son is grown and has a life of his own.

Sometimes I really feel like that's happening. Ben's growing up so fast and every free moment I have I try and soak him up and marvel at all the new things that he can do. I feel horrible when he wants to spend time with him and tries shutting my laptop. It sucks that I've got to wake him up at 5 in the morning so I can drop him off before I drive up to Milwaukee, and then cries when I hand him off to his grandparents, reaching his hands out to me saying "Mama! Mama!"

That song echoes in my head, the warning loud and clear to me...if I don't take the time out to be with him now, it may be too late if I wait.

So, here's my favorite rendition of the song, by Ugly Kid Joe:

FYI - Yusuf Islam is the Islamic name of Cat Stevens, who had converted in the 70's. For some CRAZY reason, Movable Type won't let me put Cat Stevens in the title of my post!
Click on the link for the lyrics.

A 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 talking '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."

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,
Said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

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 he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please?"

I've long since retired and 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 could find the time.
You see, my new job's a hassle, and the kid's got 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 in the moon.
"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when,
But we'll get together then, dad.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Wahh!!!

Posted by Yano at August 21, 2007 10:53 AM

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