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Give time to our family

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 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 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 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 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 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 till “some other time.”

{ 343 comments… add one }
  • Julius Lopido November 14, 2012, 11:32 pm

    This is very inspiring!

    I’m touched! Love the story..

    Stay safe.

  • Arokia November 14, 2012, 9:37 am

    Nice touching story……….I LOVE MY MOM.

  • Manjit Gaurav November 10, 2012, 4:23 pm

    Thanks a lot from my bottom of heart, for quoting such a very touching story. All words given in this story is so precious and creating a home sickness for students who are far away from own house.

  • Anita . K November 5, 2012, 6:41 am

    It is a true story… and a suitable one now-a-days.

  • Ani November 5, 2012, 5:16 am

    A very touching story that brought tears to me. There goes something like ‘In early years, when I wept I remembered you mom, now in twillight years I remember you and I weep’.

  • Libby October 29, 2012, 2:31 pm

    Honestly, this story is so touching I felt it in my heart tears were in my eyes. We really should’t take our loved ones for granted cuz we never know when we may lose them.

  • Cyrus Vandriwala October 28, 2012, 12:37 pm

    Superb. Worth to read it on Internet. The true use of technology.

  • Abid Mukhtar October 24, 2012, 4:26 pm

    I teach at Don Bosco Technical and Youth Centre, Lahore. Tomorrow 170 boys are going for their Eid Vacation and I have to share a thought in the morning assembly. I was looking for something on family, got my eyes on this lovely piece and couldn’t take off. Tomorrow they’ll all listen to your experience. Thanx!

  • Limely M. Caballes October 14, 2012, 9:24 pm

    OMG! I was like crying all the time `til I finished reading it ! Sooo sad 🙁 I REALLY LOVE MY MOM sooo very much !

  • Hemal October 14, 2012, 3:25 pm

    Heart touching moment for me.

  • Jovelyn October 10, 2012, 11:20 pm

    So touching, very amazing… I miss my mom..:(

    I am really inspired by the story! Thanks for posting! Godbless.

  • Beatrice Macharia October 10, 2012, 4:14 am

    Wow!!! Awesome story. Been reading your stories and I’m just full of tears. God help us. We spend all years chasing what we don’t have and forget to chase what we already have and is so dear to us. This is a life changing site for me.

  • Madhusudhan Kadiyala October 8, 2012, 7:29 am

    What a real life story, it’s unparalleled awe-strucking made me dumb founded, drop of tears rolled down and suddenly felt myself shaken with loneliness.

    Thank you very much for the inspiring story to make stones and beasts cry and realise the perception of real life and magic of almighty.

  • Eve September 22, 2012, 1:10 am

    After reading this story, I cried because I remembered my parents who’s far from me.. how I wish to spend my time with them again like when I was a little girl….

  • Yamini September 21, 2012, 1:11 am

    Really heart touching story.. tears are rolling up… I wish all the wife and son would be like this.

  • Dipti September 19, 2012, 1:49 pm

    Speechless…!!

  • Savan September 18, 2012, 12:33 pm

    It was an excellent story.

  • HARSHITHA September 18, 2012, 8:54 am

    Story was mind-blowing. Thanks to the author.

    Harshitha
    Student of Dayananda Sagar College, Bangalore.

  • Rakesh Kumar Giri September 16, 2012, 1:31 pm

    Words would not be enough to describe the importance and sweetness of any true relationship, so no comments.

  • Jyothi Priya September 15, 2012, 10:12 am

    After reading this story, I decided to spend time with my family.

  • Iqra September 15, 2012, 3:37 am

    I find this story better than the other stories.

  • MRS M.M. VYAS September 14, 2012, 7:02 am

    Excellent story. I am inspired-too much & in the future I would like to read more such stories.

  • Toufik September 12, 2012, 1:06 am

    What a beautiful story, every word was reminding me on how much we need to revive our bonds as a family. I miss u mom so much. Thank you very much for posting this story.

  • Lods September 8, 2012, 8:37 am

    I am having a challenging three months. I feel so lost and losing hope. Today I came looking for something positive, shed of hope for myself and came across this site. I am very grateful to be able to read about love, hope and happiness. This inspires me to NOT give up. Thank you for sharing.

  • Ravi September 7, 2012, 2:18 am

    Lovely, thanks for posting

  • Nam September 6, 2012, 1:44 am

    Thank you for posting this story, I promise myself to spread it as widely as possible to those whose mothers are still alive…or even dead, I tried to keep myself from crying after reading the whole story. It has left me with a shame to myself….I could have done and said something better than I did to my mother, I am so sorry, mom…

  • Mory August 27, 2012, 9:19 am

    It was very impressive and tragic.

    Thanks a lot

  • Pradeep August 26, 2012, 10:53 pm

    Woaaaaaw!! Awesome, fantastic, mind blowing, nice, lovely, emotional, I just dont have words to appreciate your words. You taught me well, I think it’s my time to read it .. I love my family…thank you very much.. God bless you dear.

  • Jinal August 13, 2012, 10:48 am

    Thanks alot for making me realise the importance of my family. Now I have boosted up myself to bridge all the family gaps and differences…. I will always keep my family connected….!! And I am very happy as you have done the best thing ever making your mom happy..!!

  • Leyla August 10, 2012, 6:01 am

    Hi Stephen, thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us. I don’t know what to say.. it was heart touching. May God bless you.

  • ZOE August 8, 2012, 12:36 am

    I must salute your wife for encouraging you to take your mother out on a date. And God bless your heart for listening to her advice. I know that your mum must have wished and waited for that special time alone with you for a long time. And she has passed on into eternity satisfied and with such peace. Such a heart melting story!!.

  • Mainoddin August 4, 2012, 1:09 am

    Thank u dear friend, such a nice story, I have no words to describe my feelings. I always take care of my mom, and everyone should care their mother.

  • Harpreet August 3, 2012, 1:32 am

    I had tears in eyes n u made me realise the importance of a family………….. in a simple way God Bless u !!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Musonda August 2, 2012, 5:50 am

    I just came from seeing my mum after 6 years. We chatted alot… she looked happy to see her only man in her life. Guess what… I forgot to take her out to have fun with her grandkid. Hope it’s not too late. Come December I’ll go back! Thanks for the story. It’s actually a reminder.

  • Virendra Singh Rathore August 1, 2012, 11:55 pm

    Very nice one…. I would also like take my mom for a dinner…..love you momma…. one of the loveliest moms among all the loveliest moms on earth.

  • Akib July 31, 2012, 1:36 am

    Prophet Muhammad said: Paradise lies under your mother’s feet.
    A very touching story….thanx

  • Bala July 28, 2012, 12:54 am

    After reading this I can’t stop my tear… I luv u mom & miss U

  • Malinda July 24, 2012, 10:33 pm

    Most valuable women in this world..

  • Bhadra July 23, 2012, 4:49 am

    Very touching story. I love you mom.

  • Amruta July 17, 2012, 5:34 am

    Thanks….. I will specially spend time with my daughter now….she is the only family I have know…and I have realised that no one is more important than your own family…

    Thanks once again….

  • Uday July 14, 2012, 4:30 am

    Great. It made me cry.

  • Ran July 13, 2012, 1:51 am

    Great. It made me cry. How I missed my mom..

  • Fel July 10, 2012, 7:57 pm

    Very touching story… I love to share your story to my fellow leaders…

    Thanks…

  • Ramkumar July 7, 2012, 11:16 am

    It touches the heart and it is a nice idea. I will apply. Thanks.

  • Sendong July 6, 2012, 2:19 pm

    I can’t control those tears coming down from my cheeks while reading this story in my office…It even came up to the point that I had to hide my face from my colleagues because I don’t want them seeing a guy suddenly crying for no reason…

    I am at war with my wife right now…caught her cheating…it is all my fault…I became an unfaithful husband and what she did was an act of revenge…She is asking for forgiveness …She is willing to save our marriage and so do I..

    I am at war with my mother too..we cannot get along together…I need to understand that she is getting old and it is not an easy thing for her…will have to hug her when i get home in my province..

    What an a–hole a son and a husband am I…

  • Vijai July 4, 2012, 12:03 am

    I lost my mom when I was 5-years old, now this story made me feel and cry for mother’s love.

  • Anitha July 3, 2012, 3:42 am

    Good one .. I liked it .. time to your family for sure is very very important.

  • Monika Gupta June 29, 2012, 6:40 am

    I wept and can’t stop my tears. Very nice story. A big thank to wife.

  • Naveen kumar S June 26, 2012, 1:51 am

    Really heart touching story….

  • Chiboy June 18, 2012, 5:22 pm

    Indeed a touchy story. I wish I could turn back the hands of time. Mum is far gone, but always in my mind.

  • Cerin Sweet June 13, 2012, 9:28 am

    Oooh! It is an awesome story, I love it. My tears were falling thinking about if the story is real or not.

  • Ridgette Levine June 13, 2012, 8:19 am

    Oh man.. it made my tears fall.. I can’t help it, it really is flowing. I did not finish reading the blog and my tears just kept falling. Wow, you’re a nice author. Congratulations.. I wish I could be a good author like you. Thank you for an inspiring story 🙂

  • Sunil June 12, 2012, 1:37 pm

    Really nice story, my view of thinking about my parents has changed. Thank you for sharing such a nice thought!!

  • Joel S Das June 11, 2012, 5:34 am

    Our mother died when her children were struggling for life. All 12 of her children have prospered but she is not there! She struggled to raise us. Not only that, she helped many orphan children in the boarding hostel near our house; she bathed them, trimmed their hair, washed and dried their wet beddings just voluntarily! She was ill the night she died. I was sleelping in front of her tiny room in case she needed any help. She did not disturb my sleep as I had a hard day; and God took her in her sleep. We think of her and weep that she did not even taste a good meal in her life! We know God has granted her peace in heaven!
    It is comforting to see so many comments remembering their moms. Take good care of your moms; they are prescious! May God bless you all!

  • Harish May 30, 2012, 11:39 am

    It made me cry at the end, hat’s off for dis story…

  • Rheyn May 30, 2012, 4:32 am

    I just miss my mom, my father was gone, and my mom was the only treasure I have in my life now yet I chose to leave her in the province for me to work in the city. But after reading this, I will find time to visit her and will give her a power hug and a sweet “i love you”..

  • Kisha May 26, 2012, 1:33 pm

    Loving your mom is a must! not just by way that we need it but its a law to be followed.

  • Akash Kumar Gupta May 25, 2012, 1:43 pm

    In simple words, it is outstanding. I’ll pray for the person who wrote this beautiful story and I want to tell everybody… keep loving your Mom and those who havent got do not worry the GOD is there for you.

  • SHOAIB May 21, 2012, 2:47 am

    It is really a nice story, it motivated me to give time to my lovely family.

  • Riya May 19, 2012, 8:37 pm

    This is realy a touchig story and warn us what we can miss.

  • Sayyed Sajid May 19, 2012, 5:13 am

    Fantastic….heart touching… I can’t stop my eyes to drop the tears……..

  • GAYATRI May 18, 2012, 11:46 pm

    That’s really fantastic.

  • Prasad May 18, 2012, 3:53 am

    Nice little story. I feel everyone should not only focus on material gains in life but small things which makes it to more beautiful. Dining with your dear ones is one such things. Great story…….

  • Ammy May 14, 2012, 4:56 am

    What a lovely story… thank you so much for this wonderful story… I love my mother.

  • John Mark May 13, 2012, 8:00 am

    It is a great story. I had almost tears in my eyes… I love you mother… huhuhu

  • Nana143 May 12, 2012, 1:25 pm

    I would never forget this story and the lesson which I got from it. Nice nice nice …

  • Anurag Bharti May 7, 2012, 2:57 am

    Really this story opens my blocked mind from my family side.
    Thanks a lot.

  • Berna May 5, 2012, 1:54 pm

    I cant control my tears to fall down from my eyes!!!
    –from now on I will spend more time w/ my mom!

  • Louis Brown April 28, 2012, 8:24 am

    Very touching and impressive story… I love you mum!

  • Mohamed maalim April 23, 2012, 12:53 pm

    Surely love for mum is just no diffrence with love for your own live. I don’t see the goodness in pleasing anyone else when you get wealth in this world before mom.

  • Venni April 22, 2012, 11:45 am

    Truly superb story! It just makes me sad that the important things in life, we learn too late to fix. I know a lot of the people who posted comments above said that they will go and will never forget their mother and stuff, but is the only reason because of this story? If that’s so, what’s the assurance that you’ll never forget this story?

    A constant reminder of what’s important is neccessary for us. I mean, we’re only humans. With a billion useless excuses. Only experience might lead us on the right path… but the thing about experience is that it teaches you, but sometimes, it’s too late to apply it. Because it’s over.

  • Archana April 17, 2012, 12:23 am

    Awesome… love your mom and wife.

  • Oreo April 15, 2012, 2:18 am

    Very touching story… I love it!

  • Jaraisheh April 13, 2012, 6:29 pm

    So nice. Impressive. Thanks a lot.

  • Lito Sanchez April 9, 2012, 5:57 pm

    I wish I could have done a dinner date to my mother when she was still alive… I got the best mother in the world Nanay Dely Sanchez – she passed away 7 months ago – I love you so much Nanay… forever you are in my heart!

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