After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman outto dinner 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 been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my threechildren 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 womanwho suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a signof bad news.
"I thought that it would be pleasure with you," I responded. "Just thetwo of us."
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I would like thatvery 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 benervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She hadcurled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrateher 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 wereimpressed, "she said, as she got into the car. "They can't wait to hearabout our meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant,wasvery 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. Large print. Half way throughthe entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. Anostalgic smile was on her lips.
"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," shesaid.
"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor," Iresponded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation - nothingextraordinary, but catching up on recent events of each other's life. Wetalked 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 happenedso suddenly that I did not do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurantreceipt from the same place mother and I had dined.
An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure thatI could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates -one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what thatnight meant for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "I LOVEYOU!" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing inlife is more important than God and your family. Give them the time theydeserve, because these things cannot be put off till "some other time."
Here's hoping today is better than yesterday and tomorrow.
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