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 that 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 impossible 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 herhouse, 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'thave a chance to do anything for
her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant
receipt from the same placemother 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.'
You can 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.
Bagi yang masih punya orang tua.mertua..Just Do It..never late to do the best in our life.
For me
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