Elvis has left the building

As I watched Oprah Winfrey over the past couple of weeks, I guess I was forced to ask myself the question, should I have taken an interest in her show earlier in her career. After seeing some of the many transformations, that she was instrumental in orchestrating, I really had to reflect on many of my choices that I have made in the past and the long-range effect that some of the consequences that have resulted.

Today happens to be my son Daniel’s 20th birthday and I received a tweet today from my wife asking if I remembered what I was doing 20 years ago today. At first, I was a little stunned but then it all came fleeting back. We were into hour 15 of what turned out to be 21 hours of labor. I can only imagine what Dawn was feeling because I was anxious, excited, tired, impatient and totally unprepared for this little bundle of joy. 

I had indeed completed the pre-natal classes and knew the breathing techniques as well as my wife, but they do not prepare you for the reality of a newborn. I soon realized that you do not feed your wife a spicy donair on the way home from the hospital especially when she is nursing the baby. This is how we discovered gripe water, (the good stuff before they removed the traces of alcohol).

I remember that first night and wondered how my poor mother had survived 7 kids and maintained her sanity. The next 20 years held many more surprises but again the bit of adjustment was definitely worth the outcome. Today, Dawn and I have 2 young men that make my heart skip a beat when I think of how much they have grown. For those who are watching from the sidelines, it truly is a work in progress and every day is a gift and a new adventure in parenthood.

How does this all tie into Oprah’s departure and my becoming a father?? We are both entering into a new stage of our lives. Our boys have become independent and need their meddling parents less and less. Or so it seems. Our roles are changing but are we ready for the transition? We are just as ready as we were to become a parent. None of us know what lies beyond the veil of today but my business has taught me that we can minimize the risk of something unexpected with a little bit of planning. Just like being a parent or a talk show host.

When we use the phrase, “Elvis has left the building”, it refers to the concert is over. This is an appropriate line that can describe today for both Dawn and I and Oprah. The music will play again but it will be a different stage under different circumstances. The sad part is that the music always has an ending and it is up to each of us to write the final verse. What it will say and how it is received is directly proportional to the legacy we leave. Maestro, please…