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
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 be 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 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. 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 did to not get 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 God and
your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things
cannot be put
off till "some other time."

"Do not choose for anyone, what you do not choose for yourself"