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 be 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. 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 did to not get 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."
The importance of telling your loved ones that you love them can never be underestimated.
How was the story ? I was touched and am posting this story here with the hope that anybody who reads it will benefit from it...
Here's hoping today is better than yesterday and tomorrow.
Heartwalker posted on Jul 30, 2006
| views: 885
Comments
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nadinetannous said on Jul 30, 2006....
That was sweet and very heartwarming- thanks for sharing! -
Heartwalker said on Jul 30, 2006....
welcome nani, I am glad u liked it. I wanted to share this with others with the hope to spread joy and cheer. -
Ms`Ma|ambing said on Jul 30, 2006....
you may think it sounds stupid but believe it or not while i was reading this post, i'm having a gooze bumps, from head to foot.. that was really touching.. thanks for sharing.. -
Heartwalker said on Jul 30, 2006....
Hello Ms.Malambing, I don't think it's stupid, just that u r feeling, and that 's what makes us human right? Glad that u liked it, more of this sort will follow, that's the purpose behing this blog. -
dmalha said on Jul 30, 2006....
It's good that you was able to make your mother happy. -
Heartwalker said on Jul 30, 2006....
Dear dmalha, This story is not about me, I have made this point clear, in my last few sentences, I read this story and was touched by this, How was the story ? I was touched and am posting this story here with the hope that anybody who reads it will benefit from it... ok? I read this somewhere and am posting it to share it with others. -
Heartwalker said on Jul 30, 2006....
I think half the people who comment here, don't read this fully at all.... this story is not about me... I read it somewhere, it would be nice, if people would read fully and not pass comments just for the sake of commenting. -
whitelight said on Jul 30, 2006....
great story..makes me miss my mom a lot :( it's been 2 months I haven't met her because we now we live in different province. -
hunter_boyce_chandler said on Jul 30, 2006....
I've learned to regret the things not said more than the things that were. -
starlightstarbright said on Jul 31, 2006....
What a beautiful story. I sounds like something you'd read in the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and it really struck a chord with me. My father is currently dying of cancer, and I also have been telling him that I love him quite frequently. He doesn't have much time left, but it's important that he knows just how much he means to me before it's too late. -
dmalha said on Jul 31, 2006....
Sorry I missed out the lines. I will be more careful next time. We can learn something from the story. -
extern14 said on Aug 02, 2006....
Thank you so much for sharing that. I am now at work crying but am thankful for being reminded that you never know when someone you love is going to be gone forever. Having been struggling with my family recently, I needed to hear that very much. Thank you and I am sorry for your loss. Your mother sounds like she was a wonderful person! -
Heartwalker said on Aug 02, 2006....
Dear extern,,, you have made the same mistake that others made... this is not my story, I read it in a mail sent to me from my friend...In the future, I request u to read carefully, u r the third person to make this mistake afte Silverwhisper, and dmalha -
silverwhisper said on Aug 03, 2006....
that wouldn't happen if you say so at the beginning. :> ed -
extern14 said on Aug 03, 2006....
Sorry for the mistake but I don't think it was very clear that this was not your personal situation. Your comment of this is a story could be taken as your story as well as any others. I agree with Silverswhisper, maybe making it clear at the beginning would settle the confusion as a few others made the same mistake that I did. I think that people do read carefully and post comments b/c it touches them in some way. Isn't that the point? In the future, I will read more carefully but perhaps you could make it more clear that this is not your story but someone else's that sent you the story. Thanks for sharing though. Regardless of whose story it is, it does make a great point and touches a lot of people. -
Heartwalker said on Aug 03, 2006....
All right, I get the idea... I will clearly mention which is a true incident in my own case, and which ones I read and were passed onto me, thanks SW and extern for putting things in a proper perspective. -
extern14 said on Aug 03, 2006....
Anytime, HW, isn't that why we are all here? -
silverwhisper said on Aug 03, 2006....
it's a very moving story, and i'm glad you posted it, heartwalker. indeed, i was so moved i posted before i finished reading it, and i suspect i'm not alone in that respect. :> ed -
Heartwalker said on Aug 03, 2006....
SW and extern,,, thanx for your kindness and consederation, this really makes me feel that there are really quality bloggers here. SW, one queation... why do u keep putting ed at last ? what does it stand for ? editor ? edited ? plz xplain :-) -
silverwhisper said on Aug 04, 2006....
it's my name. :> ed -
Heartwalker said on Aug 06, 2006....
mm thanx ed/SW -
mrlonely said on Aug 07, 2006....
it's very nice and Thank you so much for sharing that with us . -
Heartwalker said on Aug 08, 2006....
welcome, mr.lonely, I feel the same way with your love poems... -
azey said on Oct 03, 2006....
so touching n nice laa..neway..actually love is like the honey:) if we know the meaning of love..
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gentlepie said on Jun 06, 2007....
cant hold back.. tears welling up.. thanks for sharing this story heartwalker... it glows with warmth. :) -
destinydiva said on Jun 06, 2007....
Beautiful....
Destiny x
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