Don't Miss Your Life

On a plane to the west coast

Laptop on my tray

Papers spread across my seat

A big deadline to make

An older man next to me said,

"Sorry to intrude

"Thirty years ago, my busy friend

"I was you

"I made a ton of money

"And I climbed up the ladder

"Yeah, I was Superman

"Now, what does it matter

"I missed the first steps my daughter took

"The time my son played Captain Hook

"In Peter Pan, I was in New York

"Said, 'Sorry, son, Dad has to work'

"I missed the father-daughter dance

"The first home run, no second chance

"To be there when he crossed the plate

"The moment's gone, now it's too late

"Fame and fortune come with a heavy price

"Son, don't miss your life"

Funny you should say that, I was

Sittin' at the gate

My daughter called, she made straight As

And they're off to celebrate

Scrollin' through the pictures of my little family

My daughter with her mom and friends

Not a single one with me

They know I love 'em, I know they know I care

The truth is half the time, I'm not even there

I missed our fourth and fifth anniversary

Our girl was early by a week

Her sister had to hold her hand

I was in L.A, she said, "I understand"

I missed her first day of school

Man, what kind of crazy fool

Lets such a precious moment pass

We all know time goes way too fast

Hold on tight 'cause it don't happen twice

Don't miss your life

When I get off this plane

I'll buy a turnaround ticket

Saturday's her eighth birthday

And I'm not gonna miss it

There'll be balloons and birthday cake

And I'll clean up the mess they make

My mom and dad are drivin' in

I haven't seen them in God knows when

My wife will proudly say to me,

"I thought you were supposed to be

"In Portland for a few more days"

I'll take her in my arms and say,

"Heard some words that hit me hard last night

"A man said, 'Don't miss your life'"