Making Memories at Putt-Putt

Who wouldn't enjoy a week at the sandy white beaches of the Florida gulf!  Leisurely reclining on a beach towel, enjoying the waves or exploring the ocean floor for treasured Sand Dollars and shells were all a part of my daily "duties."  Yet, none of these relaxing activities will go down as the chief "memory maker."  That distinction goes to the afternoon Putt-Putt match against my son, Josh.

While Josh enjoyed the beach as much as anyone,  he was ready for another adventure by Wednesday afternoon.  This afforded me time to spend with my son, so we choose a competitive game of putt-putt in Panama City Beach.  The temperature upon our arrival was 90+ degrees.  We had barely started our round before my clothes were soaked with sweat and I felt its salty sting in my eyes as it rolled down my face.  If the temperature and sweat were not enough, we found ourselves behind an entire church youth group, therefore we were forced to do a lot of waiting between holes.  Yet, in all these circumstances, I wouldn't trade our putt-putt game for anything else in this world.  Why was this simple round of putt-putt golf such a memory maker?  All because of a song I heard on the way home...

My entire family was in dream land while I drove the first leg of the journey home.  The radio scan became my friend as I combed the dial for music from "my day."  I landed on a station that played a song I've not heard in some time titled "The Cats in the Cradle" by Harry Chapin.  The song tells a story about a man raising a son and struggling to find time to invest in his life.  His son constantly says about his dad, "I'm going to be like him."  In time, the roles of the dad and son reverse.  Now, the son has his own family and the dad wants some time with his "boy".  He calls his son and asks for some time with him, and the son replies, "my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu, but it's sure nice talking to you, dad."  Then, it occurs to the dad...his son had grown up just like him...with no time to give.  As I listened to the message of this song, my thoughts were taken back to my putt-putt game with Josh.  Though a round of putt-putt golf will never go down in history as a significant event, it was certainly significant to me.  My children are growing up and in a few short years, they will be on their own.  My opportunity to instruct, influence and love them before they "fly the coop" is quickly coming to an end and I want to make the most of time I have been given.  If this all-important time together happens to be while playing putt-putt, then putt-putt becomes a genuine memory maker.  I will treasure the time we were able to spend together.

What about you, mom and dad?  Are you investing time with your children?  It won't be long before they are grown and ready to launch into the world.  Don't miss your opportunities...even if they happen to involve a round of putt-putt golf!

Bryan