Points2Ponder By Alan P. Scaglione

“My Son with His Son...Circle of Life!”

                                    Points2Ponder

 By Alan P. Scaglone

Yesterday was my son’s birthday. My baby boy, my favorite son, my legacy, my heritage, the apple of my eye.

I can remember the day he was born! The doctor lifted him up and said, “It’s a…” and my son started a stream that got on everybody!

I said, “yes! I SEE!!”

And he’s been “my boy!” ever since.

Did I mention…he’s 27 now!

But he’s still my favorite son…kind of easy to attain that auspicious title… he’s my only son!

He would often say that, and I would reply, “yes, but…IF I had twelve, you would still be my favorite!”

We would then laugh again! Like the last time he said it!

I can’t believe that he’s 27…my son HAS a son!! How’d THAT happen?

I know, I know…I do know how that happened!

POINTS2PONDER  Why does time stand still like it was just yesterday, in our minds? Why can’t we go back to that time when…they were still young, innocent, full of wonder, full of energy, and…they needed us?

I used to sing to him the song that haunted me as a father—it was the one song I did NOT want us to become. Anybody remember this one?

“Cat’s in the cradle with the silver spoon, Little Boy Blue and the man on the moon; When you coming dad, I don’t know when, but we’ll have a good time then son, you know we’ll have a good time then!”

It seemed like, he was always waiting on ME for something: to get home from work, to play ball outside, to help him with his homework, to take him to practice, to give him some money…

I remember one day, he must have been 3 or 4. My phone in my office rings, I pick it up, and the voice says “Poppy, I miss you. Come home and play!”

I have to tell you—I did!

I know, it’s not very mature of me to just take the afternoon off, but…my son wanted me to come home and play, and I was NOT going to miss that memory!

And I got home, and we played all afternoon.

Will never ever forget that!

He spent a lot of time waiting on me…

Now, it seems I spend a lot of time…waiting on him.

And they call that…the Circle of Life!

I call it…assuming you have time…you may not have!

Anybody think Whitney Houston would be gone so soon?

I know I didn’t—but we assume there is always time to spend more time with the ones that matter the most, but…you couldn’t tell that by the amount of time we spend with them.

It really is…all about priorities!

Look at your week. The time you spend doing this, seeing that, going here, sitting there—you say you don’t have enough time to do what matters, but…in truth—you DO what matters to YOU!

The problem is…you have a list of what SHOULD matter, and then...there’s the Reality…your time tells what really matters!

And sometimes…. Your parents, once you are grown…are stuck on the list that SHOULD matter…

Anyone remember the last verse in that song?

“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”

Be careful of the difference between your “Should-Do” List and your “Do-Do” List

Because he may just grow up like you…

And that may just leave you…  waiting on him!