Wayne Glenn played The Cat’s in the Cradle this morning and reminded me that this song came out in 1974. Yes, I was listening to the radio that year. One recollection is being in my darkroom with music playing and stopping to pay attention to the words of this song.
Cat’s Cradle was one of the childhood games that could be played with just a piece of string. Everyone knew someone who had been “born with a silver spoon in their mouth.” These might not be really rich people, their parents just had to have a newer car or bigger house than you. In those days, we Baby Boomers were very familiar with nursery rhymes like “Little Boy Blue” and we often stood staring at the moon till we could make out the face of the “Man in the Moon.”
The story of this folk song is one of what is called a dysfunctional family today. In ’74 these ideas would not have come into my mind. The concept of not seeing your Father every night and not having both Mom and dad participating in the child-raising was a foreign idea to me. Kids who were stuck in these circumstances were few and far between in my circle.
The one I bring to mind now is Rob. His Dad was a trucker like mine. His father drove long haul which my father would not accept. On the night Dad passed away, my Mother and I sat and talked in their home about him. This was the first time I learned that he refused to accept offers to drive for companies that would require him to be on the road for days or weeks at a time.
Mom thought he should accept one of these positions because it would mean much more money for our family. My Father wanted to be able to care for his children and wife personally every day. Shortly after this, I was allowed to travel in a sales territory that required two nights away from home once a month. I did not realize the effect this would have on my children.
On my first trip, my wife told me this story when I called in the second night. Our oldest daughter’s teacher asked if there was a problem at home. Heather had sat on the playground that day at recess and did not play with her friends. When asked if she did not feel good or if there was another problem, her response was negative. Cindy advised the teacher that I was gone for two days and it was the first time I had been away from home like this. The thought of how much my girls missed me made me cry.
I felt this was just part of the kids growing up. To provide for them, I would do what I had to. Over the years, jobs that I tried to get that would have taken me away from home even more were never obtained. My Lord Jesus took care of my daughters, even when I did not follow the example of my dad.
These are the thoughts going through my mind today. I never had to worry when Dad was coming home. No, our house was not as big as others. Our car was not brand new until we kids started leaving home and there was more money available. Mom and Dad both worked, but we knew we were important to them. Our only disputes were over who was treated better than the other three. This happens with four kids naturally.
We get together with our children and grandchildren as often as we can. We never have to worry about them retaliating because of something we failed to do for them. If you can join us, good for you. If not, an apology may be in order. Forgiveness is still possible.
Copyright 2023 by Charles (Chuck) Kensinger
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Charles (Chuck) Kensinger 