Monday, January 30, 2012

Give Time To Our Family


A man's experience
After 21 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 that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children 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, are 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 that 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 with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. 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 the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”

> 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 that 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.”

Culled from Academictips

13 comments:

Raychel said...

This is great! I'm so happy I found this blog :)

I am your newest follower!

Raychel from http://www.my-creativeway.com

America's Next Top Mommy said...

What a great post! Two things will melt a woman's heart...a man who takes his mother on a date and a man who takes his daughter on a date. Both speak volumes about his character.

America's Next Top Mommy said...

Great post! Two things will make a woman's heart flutter: seeing a man take his mother on a date and seeing a man take his daughter on a date! They speak volumes about his character :)

CHELSEA ST PIERRE said...

girl am off for a much needed holiday somewhere warm...see you when I get back..keep well and great posting n....till next wednesday.

Diane - It's All Good Until You Burn Dinner said...

Wow...the first couple paragraphs were a grabber for me. I had to read more!

How true this is...wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it.

Patricia Merker said...

Your words touched my heart. My mother recently passed away and I'm so grateful that I too, had the opportunity to spend time with her. When my sisters and I cleaned out her little apartment, we found notes that she had left for us. I suppose aging gives us the wisdom and knowledge that one day we won't be here; finding those letters brought us joy that is indescribable. Thanks for posting this, it made me remember . . .

Patricia
http://www.gmlmseries.wordpress.com

momto8 said...

thank you for writing this.

Small Kucing said...

I have read something like this before and each time it still moves me.

Lilacs said...

Thanks so much for visiting with me today!:) Take care, and Happy Hump Day to you and everyone here!!:)

Lilacs

Ladytee said...

Aww...why do these stories always end in death. :( Great post though, love the content, & the message.

Jen from True Life I'm a SAHM said...

I love this post!! Thanks for stopping by my blog and following :-)

Your newest follower!!

Jen- www.truelifesahm.blogspot.com

Nekky said...

This post has lot of lessons in it and it's also good for men to listen to their wives advices.

Renee Sullivan said...

I am so touched by this story. It has inspired me to do the reverse and take my dad out for a date.
Renee

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