After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out todinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other womanloves you and would love to spend some time with you.'
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has beena widow for 19 years. The demands of my work and my two children had madeit possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has beena widow for 19 years. The demands of my work and my two children had madeit possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
'What's wrong, are yo
u well?' she asked.
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or asurprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' Iresponded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that verymuch.'
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous.When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervousabout our date.
She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and waswearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last weddinganniversary.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told myfriends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,'she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about ourmeeting.'
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy.My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.
After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read largeprint. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sittingthere staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who usedto have to read the menu when you were small,' she said.
'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinarybut catching up on recent events of each others life. We talked so muchthat we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, butonly if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home.'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
u well?' she asked.My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or asurprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
'I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' Iresponded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that verymuch.'
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous.When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervousabout our date.
She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and waswearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last weddinganniversary.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I told myfriends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,'she said, as she got into the car. 'They can't wait to hear about ourmeeting.'
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy.My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady.
After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read largeprint. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sittingthere staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who usedto have to read the menu when you were small,' she said.
'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing extraordinarybut catching up on recent events of each others life. We talked so muchthat we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, butonly if you let me invite you.' I agreed.
'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home.'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened sosuddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.
Sometime later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receiptfrom the same place mother and I had dined.
An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that Icould be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you andthe other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me.I love you, son.'
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU'and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.
Sometime later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receiptfrom the same place mother and I had dined.
An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that Icould be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you andthe other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me.I love you, son.'
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU'and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.
Nothing in life ismore important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, becausethese things cannot be put off till 'some other time'.
This isn't just about being a mother, it's about appreciatingthe people in your life while you have them....no matter who they are.
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