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Brenda Lee was fifteen years old when she popularized her 1960 hit, “I’m Sorry.” My son was six years old when he popularized those words in my home.
Our refrigerator, like many others in the country, is not just a repository for tomorrow’s dinner; it’s a filing system for things we want to remember. The door of our refrigerator is cluttered with grocery lists, magnets from our kid’s elementary school reminding them of how to make better choices when conflicts arise, phone numbers, and a number of grimy handprints. Most of what’s there has either been posted so long or is so routine that it doesn’t stand out to me anywhere, thus defeating the purpose of using the refrigerator door as a reminder center.
But recently I came home and glimpsed something new that got my attention. It was an apology letter from my youngest child to my wife. My wife recounted the episode. He’d been told no about something he wanted to do and he reacted angrily; yelling, pouting, even hitting. He was sent to be by himself for a while and calm down. Sounds pretty terrible but for a six year old, it’s about what I expect, and frankly, more mature than what I see with a lot of adults.
My wife also retreated to our bedroom to make a phone while he settled down. 
From the corner of her eye she saw a piece of paper being slid under the door. She wrapped up her conversation and called him. He looked so contrite and penitent. She embraced him in a motherly hug. His relief was obvious. He proceeded to compliment her effusively telling her how pretty she is, and how much he loves her.
It seems like the song writers, Dub Albritton and Ronnie Self, hit the head on the nail when they penned the lyrics to “I’m Sorry,” and Brenda Lee gave the words a voice that seems to say it all for us. (You can read the lyrics below.) But Daniel lived the message more beautifully than anything I’ve seen in a while.
I’m trying to be the kind of man my son will look up to and want to become some day, but in this case, I’m going to try and become more like him.
I’m sorry, so sorry
That I was such a fool
I didn’t know Love could be so cruel
Oh, oh, oh, oh Uh-oh Oh, yes
You tell me mistakes Are part of being young
But that don’t right The wrong that’s been done
(I’m sorry) I’m sorry (So sorry) So sorry
Please accept my apology
But love is blind
And I was to blind to see
Oh, oh, oh, oh Uh-oh Oh, yes
You tell me mistakes Are part of being young
But that don’t right
The wrong that’s been done
Oh, oh, oh, oh Uh-oh Oh, yes
I’m sorry, so sorry
Please accept my apology
But love was blind
And I was too blind to see (Sorry)
