There are always songs that stay with us forever.
My first year at University, I was amazed at how many concerts and shows were held on campus. Over the time I was there, I was able to see off Broadway productions of Cat and A Chorus Line.
In addition to plays there were the concerts. And they weren’t little names.
Harry Chapin gave a concert every year.
When my roommate tried to get me to go, I begged off. I was studying for a test or some such thing. That was a mistake.
A few months later, Harry died in a car accident.
Having been introduced to Harry, I purchased many of his albums on CD and nearly wore them out.
I’ve already written about Sniper.
I listened to the following song, and it felt like it was telling a part of my story.
My father was in the Navy, he would deploy for 6+ months every few years. He worked a lot. When I was old enough to actually do things with him, he was CO of the base, which left him little time.
His support was always there.
He and mom delayed moving to their dream home after he retired to allow me to complete high school in the school I started.
They left at the end of the school year, I went to Europe for a trip, came back to the states and spent the summer staying with a friend and working.
From there, it was straight to University. I went “home” for Christmas and the summer break.
That was the last time I lived with my parents. Every other summer, I was at school or working. Or both.
So when I heard this song, it hit me hard. My father has always been there for me. As much as I needed. He was the strength behind mom. He was.
And I was the selfish son who couldn’t make time for him.
So I told him this song was so meaningful to me because I wasn’t making time for him and I never had.
He heard the other side and felt like he wasn’t there for me.
I hurt him. I regret telling him about “Cat’s In The Cradle”, but at the same time, I hope he heard that I felt I hadn’t been there for him.