From my perspective

Families can be in harmony or out of tune

By Joe Sova, managing editor

I am certainly no expert on raising children. But over the years, I have learned a few things about the challenge.

When I was a child, my parents owned and operated a business. They were almost always “home,” but you know how it is. Sometimes a business owns you. There wasn’t a lot of time for total family activities. I’m not complaining. Overall, my brother and sisters and I had a good upbringing.

At this time of year, many parents prepare for the “empty nest.” Their youngest child is on the verge of going to college or moving out.

Music has been an important part of my life for many years. When I hear a song like singer/songwriter Harry Chapin’s “Cat’s In the Cradle,” I’m reminded that not all families get it right. It makes me appreciate the joy I had growing up, spending time with family.

Harry wrote the song in 1974 — from a poem written by Harry’s wife, Sandy, about Harry’s neglectful father. That’s according to the songfacts.com Web site. The site said Harry wrote the song, upset because he missed his son’s birth while he was touring.

It is a classic that has incredible meaning and will be around for generations to come. I would like to pass on some observations from hearing the song as recently as last week on the radio.

The song, sung from the voice of a father, talks about his relationship with his son. The son learned to walk when dad was traveling. At an early age, the son would say he was going to be just like his dad when he grew up.

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