37 Minutes

“From Day 1, when they come right out of the womb, talk to your child. You want your child to talk to you, so talk to your child…Be their anchor and support system so they can let you help them.”

Over the 40+ years I have been a parent there are a few things I know to be true. One of them is that time flies.

In what seems like a blink of an eye, I am a grandfather of 10 with 11 and 12 headed our way. When did that happen? It is one thing to say “time flies” but it is another to say, “where did it go?” Make sure you cherish every minute.

Three years ago, the phone rings at 9:06PM and it’s my son, Drew. At this time, Drew is 30. He doesn’t often call at 9:06PM just to talk. The Royals are quietly going into the night in the grip of the Miami Marlins.

“Hey buddy, what’s the matter?”

“Well, I just called to talk because I can. Don’t know what I’ll do when I can’t call you. (One other thing that I do know to be true, is that as a parent, the best thing you can do is be there). Just glad you’re here for me to talk to.”

So we talked. He needed to talk. He had started a new job and was killing it. He just didn’t realize yet how great he was doing. The results don’t come as fast as they did in another job.

From the day they are born to the day you die, your kids need you to be there. Never assume they don’t. Give them all of your attention while you can.

I helped him focus on the right things. I said, “Buddy, remember the day all of your teammates at Taylor stood and watched you pitch your final inning? Remember the banquet when they all wept at the thought of you not being there anymore? Remember the way you played the game at your last job and the way your employees stood by your side because you loved them?”

I wrapped it up with this. “Just keep playing like Jeter. Derek Jeter was the Yankees shortstop for many years. He was the Captain. They won many championships with Jeter playing shortstop…just playing shortstop…every day.”

That’s all we can do…play our position. We can’t play them all.

And the success will come…just keep doing your job.

And Drew wrapped it up with this. “Pops, thanks for these 37 minutes. I really needed to talk. I’m ready now to get some sleep and get after it tomorrow…good night, Pops.”

I didn’t know we were being timed.