On a plane to the West Coast, laptop on my tray
Papers spread across my seat, a big deadline to make
An 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, 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 sitting at the gate
My daughter called, she made straight A's
And they're off to celebrate
Scrolling 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
Then what kind of crazy fool, lets such precious moments 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 turn-around 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 driving in
I haven't seen them in God knows when
My wife will probably 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
I heard some words that hit me hard last night
A man said, 'Don't miss your life'"