My son

My twenty year old son decided to hit the road and see what’s out there.  He has been frustrated in Delaware for a while now and I am sure the divorce of his mother and I was not easy for him.  He has some issues, sure we all do but we left for Florida yesterday, no job, no plans, etc. He just hit the road and wanted to see where it takes him.  I was jealous in a way, but I realized I could not do that, ahhhh to be young again.  It made me think about the song by Harry Chapin “Cats in the Cradle”.  He came to say goodbye to me before his journey and he came by around 9:30 at night.  He knew I got up early but I think he felt it was better for him to come late.  I thought of the lyrics of this song and thought I would share one of the versus today. The following are those words:

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 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.

Granted he does not have kids and I am still working but I thought he did grow up like me!  He wanted to spread his wings.  He drove south, I joined the Air Force.  I felt like I was choking in my hometown and needed to find more and I know how he feels.  I told him I was proud of him, take care of himself and I hugged him. He gave me my father’s day card and told me not to open it until Father’s day.  I did not want to let go but I knew I had to. He is his own person, I am my own person.  Just take time for your kids.  Last piece of advice I could give him was he has big shoes to fill with that last name he has and he knew he always has a place to go with it got tough, home! I know the day will come when all of us face this, some already have but it does not get easier.   Until next time!