What time is it?
I’m a watch collector. I’ve always been fascinated with watches and about ten years ago I started picking up ones that I liked. Not many of my watches are expensive, most are just watches that I enjoy wearing. I’m sorry to say I’m up to over 30 watches. I heard a quote form a friend that is actually quite funny, “A man that owns a watch always knows what time it is, a man that owns many watches never knows what time it is.”
Do you know what time it is? Years ago a wonderful song was very popular. Cats In The Cradle was first recorded by Harry Chapin, in the last few years it was re-recorded by my dear friend
Ricky Skaggs. It’s a great song, read through the lyrics and see if you agree with the message.
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin’ ‘fore I knew it, and as he grew
He’d say “I’m gonna be like you dad
You know I’m gonna be like you”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home dad?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, “Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let’s play
Can you teach me to throw”, I said “Not today
I got a lot to do”, he said, “That’s ok”
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, “I’m gonna be like him, yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then
Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and said with a smile
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?”
And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then
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 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 on the moon
When you comin’ home son?
I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son
You know we’ll have a good time then
So what time is it? It’s time to spend time with your spouse, to nurture and love your children, to listen to your neighbors and friends. It’s time to do those things you always intended to do, but haven’t taken the time to do. It’s time to face the fact that God is real and He loves you and He has been knocking at the door of your heart. He’s waiting for you to open the door, so He can come in.
What time do you think it is?
the pilgrim
Ricky Skaggs at the Derby, shooting with his Nikons. Photo by Skip Dickstein
This entry was posted on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 11:42 am
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