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Tuesday, February 02, 2010

A Must Read

BEING A MOTHER...

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 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,' 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. 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'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.'

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

If there is anything I've learned over the past year its that the ones you love are the most important thing in your life. Not money or the success of a career. Just those you love.

Anonymous said...

OMG...This is so true! Sitting here, crying as I read it. Because once they are gone, it's too late then.

Anonymous said...

Joe,

It has been 30 years since my Mom died and I still miss her. She died of a massive heart attack and I did not get to say good-bye. It stiil bugs the heck out of me. Thanks for sharing the story.

Anonymous said...

I e-mailed this to my husband. I too was in tears.

dogg said...

Dammit Joe. Im in my forty's with a grown son. Now I sit at work surrounded by my peers and am having to explain why I am in tears. Thanks a lot!!

dogg

ps...I called my mom to tell her I love her. I plan on asking her out in the next week.

Anonymous said...

I just took my mom out to dinner at Outback last Thursday night and thought to myself that I need to do this a lot more often. Thanks for the post as I (47yo male)sit here with a tear in my eye.

Anonymous said...

We all should remember our loved ones and nurture the relationships because this story will happen to all of us; no chance for a redo.

Lost in the 60s said...

Hope those who chose other things or someone else over their family read this. Hopefully, they will make amends while they still can - but asking for forgiveness is too often seen as a sign of weakness.

If you love someone, tell them - no matter how estranged you think you are. It matters. Regret can eat at your soul - trust me I know.

Anonymous said...

Went out to dinner with my dad tonight. I worked till 9, didn't much feel like going out after, it was starting to sleet, I almost canceled. We sat, talked, laughed and closed Vinnys. Then I come home and read this. Glad I did. Almost as glad as I was that I went and spent some time with my Dad. Thanks Joe

Anonymous said...

I lost my mother about 2 1/2 years ago to pancreatic cancer. Three weeks from diagnosis to being gone. I had the good fortune to be abe to say the things I needed to say (for my own peace of mind), but her sudden passing did not allow me to a moment like this (I always thought there'd be more time).

Now I preach to my boys to always resolve conflicts with family and friends, tell those that you love how you feel, and live life to its fullest.

Thanks, Joe.