:: a touching story ::

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new
way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little
while ago I had started to go out with another
woman. It was really my wife's idea. "I know that
you love her," she said one day, taking me by
surprise.

"But I love YOU," I protested. "I know, but you also
love her." 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
pass some time with you," I responded. " Just the
two of us." She thought about it for a moment 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 to her.
Her eyes could only read large print. Half way
through the entree, 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 for you to 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 others lives. 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 was almost sure that I
couldn't 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 to
me. I love you."

At that moment I understood the importance of
saying, in time: "I LOVE YOU" and giving our
loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in
life is more important than God and your family
and friends. Give them the time they deserve,
because these things cannot be put off 'til "some
other time". Someone once said "I've learned that,
regardless of your relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from
your life. I think this is true with your in-laws,
grandchildren, sisters, brothers and your friends.
Anyone that means something to you-you should
spend time with them and let them know how
much they mean to you as often as you can.

Please pass this along to your friends and family.
Touch their hearts. It has touched mine. I am glad
that you are my friend.

+ vodka cat updated @ 1:04 am

_________