Buckaroo

The other night right before bedtime, I found this cute little scene in our living room. So as sneaky as I could be I tried to capture the moment. And then a song came to my head... one that I love and that sums up perfectly my boys and their dad...

"Drivin' through town just my boy and me

With a Happy Meal in his booster seat

Knowin' that he couldn't have the toy 'til his nuggests were gone.

A green traffic light turned straight to red

I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath.

His fries went a flyin', and his orange drink covered his lap

Well, then my four year old said a four letter word

It started with "S" and I was concerned

So I said, "Son, now where'd you learn to talk like that?"

He said, "I've been watching you, dad ain't that cool?

I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you.

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.

We got cowboy boots and camo pants

Yeah, we're just alike, hey, ain't we dad?

I want to do everything you do.

So I've been watching you."

We got back home and I went to the barn

I bowed my head and I prayed real hard

Said, "Lord, please help me help my stupid self."

Just this side of bedtime later that night

Turnin' on my son's Scooby-Doo nightlight.

He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees.

He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands

Spoke to God like he was talkn' to a friend.

And I said, "Son, now where'd you learn to pray like that?"

He said, "I've been watching you, dad ain't that cool?

I'm your buckaroo, I want to be like you.

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.

We like fixin' things and holding momma's hand

Yeah, we're just alike, hey, ain't we dad?

I want to do everything you do; so I've been watching you"

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug.

Said, "My little bear is growin' up."

And he said, "But when I'm big I'll still know what to do."

"Cause I've been watching you, dad ain't that cool?

I'm your buckaroo, I want to be like you.

And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.

By then I'll be strong as superman

We'll be just alike, hey , won't we dad

When I can do everything you do.

'cause I've been watching you."

--by Rodney Atkins "Watching You"