ON BEING A MOTHER

Editor's Note:

The following story was forwarded to me by my neice. It has so impressed

me with its relevance and its urgency that I felt compelled to pass it on

to every one about whom I care. The author is unknown, but its content

relates to all of us, and its message is directed to each of us, personally.

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 with 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 my 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 events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie, but neither of us cared.
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 willingly and hoped it would be soon.
'How was your dinner date?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice, I answered, much more so than I could ever have imagined and I have you to thank for this.'


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 always saying; 'I LOVE YOU' and of giving our loved ones the time that they deserve and they need. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve.
These things must never be put off till 'some other time',
.....for that time may never come.

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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're 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 the bus for the first day of kindergarten,

or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.

'Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after herchild gets married.
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law
to the mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.

Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her,
so you don't need to tell her.

Somebody isn't a mother.

…..Author Unknown