Don't Miss Your Life

On a plane to the West Coast, laptop on my trayPapers spread across my seat, a big deadline to makeAn older man sitting 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, not what does it matter.I missed the first steps my daughter tookThe time my son played Captain Hook in 'Peter PanI was in New York, said 'Sorry son, Dad has to workI missed the father daughter danceThe first home run, no second chanceTo be there when he crossed the plateThe moment's gone now it's too lateFame and fortune come with a heavy priceSon, don't miss your life."Funny you should say that, I was sitting at the gateMy daughter called, she made straight A's and they're off to celebrate.Scrolling through the pictures of my little familyMy daughter with her mom and friends, not a single one with me.They know I love 'em, I know they know I careThe truth is half the time, I'm not even there.I missed our fourth and fifth anniversaryOur girl was early by a weekHer sister had to hold her handI was in L.A., she said "I understand"I missed her first day of schoolThen what kind of crazy foolLets such precious moments passWe all know time goes way too fastHold on tight ‘cause it don't happen twiceDon't miss your life.When I get off this plane, I'll buy a turn-around ticketSaturday's her eighth birthday and I'm not gonna miss itThere'll be balloons and birthday cakeAnd I'll clean up the mess they makeMy mom and dad are drivin' inI haven't seen 'em in God knows whenMy wife will probably say to me"I thought you were supposed to be in PortlandFor a few more days", I'll take her in my arms and say"I heard some words that hit me hard last night,A man said: 'Don't miss your life'."