Somebody said...
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 who loves
you too 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 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,
just the two of us", I responded." 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 a bit nervous about our date. As she
waited in the door, I couldn't help but think how beautiful
she was. She had curled her hair and was wearing the
dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday.
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angels',
as she said, "I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my Son, and they were impressed," she
said. "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
you just relax and let me return the favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation, nothing
extraordinary, but we got to catch up on recent events in 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 very moment, I understood the importance
of saying, "I LOVE YOU" in time and every time,
and how very important it is to give our loved ones
the time they deserve. Our family is very important
to us! We better spend time with them now while
we still have them with us, and while we can.
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 become 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 a bus and
leave, 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 not only never had
children, but they never had grandchildren!
Somebody said...
Your mother knows you love her, so you don't
need to tell her. Somebody sure isn't a mother!
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