And that song would be Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. I had daughters, not sons, but the message in the song rings true. So true.
While my daughters were growing up I was away, a lot. At the office at all hours while I started my own business, and then always travelling on business. Always away. I tried to change course but it was too little too late.
When I finally decided money wasn’t the most important thing, I changed course and worked from home. Unfortunately, my wife did think money was the most important thing. It took her a couple of years to get all her ducks in a row, and then she pulled the plug on our marriage, on our life.
That was sixteen years ago, but I still think about it…every single day. And it occupies my 3 am thoughts most nights as well.
Regardless, I had set the tone years before. I’ve no one to blame but myself. My girls are always busy with their lives which, as the song says, is exactly what they learned from me. “They’d grown up just like me”.
I wish I had done things differently, but then they would be different — and I do like the women they have become. Of course I wish I saw them more, but as I’ve said, that’s on me.
I'm alone these days, and that's no accident.
And I'm tired. So tired...also no accident.