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June 03, 2005
He'd Grown Up Just Like Me
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 could find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and the kids with the flu
But it's been sure nice talkin' to you, dad
It's been sure nice talkin' to you
And as I hung up the phone it occured to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
Those are one section of the lyrics from “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry and Sandy Chapin. I thought of that song today. I haven’t seen my parents in about two months. After sitting in traffic for 5 ½ hours (an hour later than anticipated) and finally arriving in NJ at 3:00, I ran into the house, saw my Dad’s laptop on the kitchen table (he was supposed to have a half day at the office), and said, “Now I don’t feel so bad.” I turned on my own laptop-the only item I had dragged out of the car-and stated, “I’m really sorry, I just have to send off one e-mail before the end of business.” My dad and I worked on our laptops across the table from each other. I am torn between, wow, isn’t this sad we are both working instead of communicating-and hey, I am kind of proud to have grown up like him. I don’t think that’s necessarily bad-and I know my Dad loved what he was working on this afternoon. So as I was working I was trying not to smile because-for better and for worse-the song was playing in my head as we literally acted it out.
After sending my e-mail I went to the gym (yes, another selfish time pursuit) and speed swam for 15 minutes b/c the gym was closing earlier than I had anticipated. Now I am procrastinating finding what I need from my car for the night. Packing was a slight nightmare and the car is full. I had to bring a lot of stuff with me. I need work clothes and workout clothes of course-but also beach clothes for vacation and I am going to a wedding, so that means jewelry. I need my printer. Every time I walked around my apartment I found something new: camera battery charger, running sunglasses, iron, hairdryer, air pump for my bike, pillows, alarm clock, my $46 sneakers, all my ibuprofen. I mean, the list for a whole summer is long! I made up my DC wallet. I took out all of the Boston cards for movies stores and restaurants and put in my DC electronic metrocard (subway card), cards for movie rental stores, and library card.
Off to beat the little brother in ping pong. Okay, well I will let you know who ACTUALLY wins. Oh yeah, moving always hurts my knee (even before my year of knee problems.) Note to self-don’t squat. (But then how do I “lift with the knees” so I don’t hurt my back?) Note to self-next time find someone else to move me!! All in the name of protecting my knee of course! Bon weekend!
Posted by Audrey at June 3, 2005 08:45 PM