Amanda Lamb: Cat's in the cradle

Even though it was written 44 years ago, “Cat’s In The Cradle” by Harry Chapin still resonates with parents today. I know it does with me. But it’s never been more poignant until I had teenagers, budding adults.

If you don’t know the song, Chapin wrote the bittersweet ballad when his son was born in 1974. It was his only number one hit. It’s about the seasons of parenting – about how when our kids are young, we are so busy working to support them and take care of them, that we don’t always take the time we should to spend with them.

Chapin wrote: “There were planes to catch and bills to pay. He learned to walk while I was away.”

And as they get older, and develop their own independent lives, they too want to go out into the world and do things separate and apart from us.

This has never been so true for me until the summer. My girls are like whirling dervishes, rolling through the house for a quick bite, a shower, or a few hours of sleep. Between work, camp, going to the beach and other social engagements, I find myself alone sometimes waiting for them to grace my presence for a meal or even just a few minutes.

Chapin wrote: “What I’d really like dad is to borrow the car keys. See you later. Can I have them please?... When you coming home son? I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son, you know we’ll have a good time then.”

I haven’t quite figured it out yet. While I also have a very full life, I leave little windows of time open hoping that I might fill them with their beautiful energy. And that is my job as a mother. So I wait, and when I do get their attention, I savor every single moment because I don’t know when it will happen again.

Chapin died at the age of 38 in 1981 in a car accident. He never got to see his two children, Joshua and Jennifer, grow up.

He never got to realize the end of his song – a child going to college, a child growing up and having children of his own. I hope I’m lucky enough to see all of this. So I will take whatever time they’re willing to give me… And I will wait for it.