The Cat's In The Cradle?

As I sat at my favorite Mexican restaurant last Thursday night, reveling in the fact that the weekend has arrived, an old Harry Chapin song. It was none other than "Cats In The Cradle." Having enjoyed the song as a kid, I never fully understood it. Now I fully do.

It follows a father and son. When the son is growing up, the father never has time to spend with his son. Nonetheless, the son still wants to be like his father. As time progresses, the tables turn. The son grows up and the dad grows old. Now, the dad wants to spend time with the son who has a life of his own.

Maybe I was just in a nostalgic mood, but hearing this song made me examine my time management habits. Do I really put time in where time is do? Do I cultivate my friendships and relationships with people or do I chase after fruitless, unfulfilling goals?

While we all have obligations to meet, it is important to sit back every once in a while and wonder who you are and what type of mark you will leave on this world. That is what Harry Chapin taught me last Thursday night.