Carry On My Wayward Son

Those of yu who have children will probably relate to this. Those who are planning to have children should probably skip it.

Children, as you know (or perhaps will know), are expensive. Go to your daughter's softball game, as I did today, and you'll see a steady stream of children, bored while waiting for their turn at bat,  asking their parents for money for the snack bar. Second inning: Gatorade. Third inning: pizza. Fifth inning: soft pretzel.

So I was reminded of a trip we took a year or so ago — I can't remember where — when it seemed like every 15 minutes I was getting out my wallet for someone. After about the sixth or seventh request for cash I said, half jokingly, "What if I stay home next time and just send my wallet?"

My then 11-year-old son looked at me and replied, in all seriousness, "Oh no, Dad. We need you to carry stuff."