After 21 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 had been a widow for 19 years,
but the demands of my work and my 3 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, aren't you well?" She asked.
 
My mother is the type of woman who suspects
that a late night call or surprise invitation is a
sign of bad news.

"I thought that 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
at 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.
Her eyes could only read large print. Half way
through the entrees, I lifted my eyes and saw
Mum 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 favour." 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 where
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 'til "some other time."



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