Last Thursday, my only son celebrated his 10th birthday. Since he was born in December, we decided to name him Emmanuel following the name given to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our little Emmanuel is growing up quite fast. His interests are rapidly expanding and continuously changing. We certainly welcome these, but sometimes, I wish the changes won’t come as fast as they do.
It’s not time to make a change
Just relax, take it easy
You’re still young, that’s your fault
There’s so much you have to know
I have a regular job so time is something I can’t always spend with my kids. Still, when there’s time, I sit down and have a friendlly and open talk with them. I don’t want them to feel that I’m pusing them away and they have to go somewhere else just to get that needed talk.
How can I try to explain, when I do he turns away again
It’s always been the same, same old story
From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen
Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away
With my son, I can sense that he’s starting to go on his own. He still talks about what he wants in life. At the same time, however, he’s spending more time with his friends and often shares his ideas with them with immense enthusiasm. I just wish he’d try to exercise calmness when he talks.
I was once like you are now, and I know that it’s not easy
To be calm when you’ve found something going on
But take your time, think a lot
Why, think of everything you’ve got
For you will still be here tomorrow, but your dreams may not
At any rate, it’s interesting to see that my son is still not showing any interest in girls. I know, however, that in a few more years, that interest will come. When it does, I’m hoping he’ll find a girl he can be happy with in the same way that I’ve happily settled down with his mother.
Find a girl, settle down
If you want you can marry
Look at me, I am old, but I’m happy
Having a difficult time reaching out to your children? Click here to listen to Cat Stevens’ advice:
“Father and Son” is from Cat Stevens’ 1970 album Tea for the Tillerman. Despite its popularity, the song was not a big hit in the US and the UK music charts. It was the cover version of the Irish boy band Boyzone in 1995 that gave “Father and Son” a charts ranking. The version was at second spot in the UK Singles chart.
The song is an exchage of discussion between a father who is unable to understand his son’s decisions and a son wanting to take control of his life. Originally, “Father and Son”was written by Stevens for a shelved musiical.The plot was about a young man wishing to join the Russian revoution despite the objections of his father.
After the song was released, Stevens, in an interview, admitted that “Father and Son” was also partly autobiographical. He said that he and his father had misunderstandings but the good thing about his father was that he allowed Stevens to enjoy doing what he does.
“Father and Son” should be considered one timeless song as its message is something that both the past and the present generation can readily relate to.
AKA Music 