After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another
woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this
other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.
* * *
The other woman my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who
has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had
made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie.
* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a
surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
* * *
'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you, I
responded. Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a
moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.'
* * *
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 nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had
curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn
to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 'I
told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were
impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van.
They can't wait to hear about our date.
* * *
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
large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom
sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips.
It was I who used to 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
extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's
life. We talked so much that we missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with
you again, but only 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 so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything
for her.
* * *
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a
restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined An
attached note said: I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and
the 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 they deserve. Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time they
deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.'
* * *
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal
after you've had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a
mother, 'normal' is history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct .
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
* * *
Somebody said being a mother is boring .... somebody never rode
in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if
you're a 'good' mother your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks
a child comes with directions and a guarantee.
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother....
somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you
love the first ... somebody doesn't have two children.
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and
delivery....somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for
the first day of Kindergarten .. or on a plane headed for military boot
camp.
* * *
Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets
married .... somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or
daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves
home .... somebody never had grandchildren.
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need
to tell her.... somebody isn't a mother.
* * *
Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life and to
everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother;
it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them....no
matter who that person is.
No comments:
Post a Comment