A beautiful Story

After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman outtodinner and a movie. She said I love you but I know this other woman lovesyou and would love to spend some time with you.
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has beena widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three childrenhad 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 ofwoman 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 spend some time with you," Iresponded. "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 nervousabout 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 lastweddinganniversary.
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 theywere 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 eyescould only read large print. Half waythrough the entries ,
I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smilewas on her lips. "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you weresmall," 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 - nothingextraordinary, 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 happenedso 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 receiptfrom the same place mother and I had dined.An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure thatI could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one foryou and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meantfor me.I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: "ILOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.Nothing in life is more important than God and your family. Givethem the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till"some other time."

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