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ourmandave

This reminds me of that song I really hate, Cat's in the Cradle.

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 the 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 in the moon

"When you coming home, son?" "I don't know when"

But we'll get together then, dad

We're gonna have a good time then

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This is a verb between my grown son and I.

"You're cat's cradling me, aren't you!"

Is this the norm in NA? I live close to some elder people but their grandchildren did visit them from time to time. I guess keeping an amiable relationship when he is young is the key here? I have a two year old and have been gradually increasing time spent with him.

You can stay in the village or move to the big city in the other country and make the big money that ends up supporting them. That pattern persists a lot the world over.

All my friends have guided their parenting based on this song. It has had a tremendous effect on me.

While I'm not yet retired, my sons have moved away. I'm not really the sentimental type, and I enjoy having days mostly to myself again, but they are always on my mind to one degree or another.

^ This 1000%.

And they know that if they need anything, you're there for them. Always.

A few months before my dad died, he asked me to listen to that song. I knew the song, I hated it, and chose not to listen to it.

I understood his point, but didn't listen to that, either. I sure miss him now.

My father died unexpectedly and suddenly. He was not sick. At the beginning of his last Summer, I asked if I could move in with him for the Summer. “Why?” he asked. “So we can spend time together”, I said. For a complicated reason, he said no, although I know he wanted to say yes. He died at the beginning of Autumn that year, as I said, without any warning and very quickly. No time for goodbyes.

Search out Cat's in the Kettle it may help the ear worm.

You can f right off with this post! Dude, really? Like you couldn't do the whole spoiler make the text black unless I highlight it thing? This friggin guy making all us old dads cry. But seriously, hits right in the feels.

I appreciate your comment.

We sang this in 6th grade, and even then I understood the devastating lyrics (I didn't see my dad much, b/c he had to work long hours and weekends+nights as a young resident->doctor). I knew even then that this song would be my truth.

Over three decades later, I love my dad but I only see him a few times a year for a few days each, and we don't talk much on the phone much.

"But we'll get together then, son."

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