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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 }
  • Preeti Sharma December 18, 2014, 5:31 am

    Nice story…..:)
    i really feel that everyone should know the value of a single person in their family.
    Mother like a god……..i love u mom.

  • Nagendra November 28, 2014, 9:42 am

    I Love you amma.

  • Sharven kumar jaiswal November 21, 2014, 6:06 am

    It is really a very touching story. You have a such nice wife who is caring you & your family. My salute to her. god bless you & your family.

  • Madhusudhan November 13, 2014, 12:38 pm

    As, I read, the whole narration of incident came to my eyes in a visual form and the conscious shaken with the ultimate truth of life, a man is forgetten in this material world the perception of heart and mind. A deep thinking will take you to the world of lonliness and creates a huge vaccum. Your story is more than a film and reminds the senses.

  • SANCHAI October 30, 2014, 12:19 am

    A heart touching Story! Tnx!

  • Imran August 19, 2014, 8:13 am

    Indeed which story is extremely inspiring me into to my heart

  • Micheal August 13, 2014, 9:19 pm

    Very nice story ^_^

  • Tripti sheth July 29, 2014, 10:07 pm

    Too good and touchy as well.

  • Smyl July 21, 2014, 5:52 am

    I got a watery eyes while reading the notes of the mother. Thumbs up to this inspiring story.

  • Kanthinee July 15, 2014, 2:56 am

    Tears rolled down from eyes before I could finish reading the story. I hope all the sons out there have some time to share with their mums before it is to late.

  • Chgarlotte July 9, 2014, 5:16 am

    Am so touched I haven’t spoke to my dad in months now am gona call him tonight. Thanks

  • Soham June 25, 2014, 12:02 pm

    It is a very nice and touching story, I would like to talk to the person who shared the story. Is there any way that I can get in contact?

  • Nowmirakel June 10, 2014, 1:17 am

    Very simple yet touching story. My tears fell πŸ™‚

  • Parvathi June 9, 2014, 2:19 am

    It is very good story

  • Vikrant April 20, 2014, 3:18 am

    Very nice story. This story will change lots of people life.

  • Veenajuneja April 18, 2014, 2:15 pm

    Indeed this story is true to life and motivating. Being a mother I am greatly impressed.

  • Swapnil gite February 14, 2014, 12:35 am

    A very heart touching story.. thanx a lot..

  • Mohsin February 10, 2014, 3:36 am

    Hi friend .. You have opened my eyes.. I was feeling that why did I not read this story before but still it’s never too late hence forth I will make sure that my mom is happy first as it doesn’t take much efforts to keep her happy but many a times I had missed on that due to this busy world…. thanks again for reminding..

  • Argie de Guzman January 30, 2014, 4:48 am

    I suddenly missed my family in the province. :'(

  • Abdulrazique November 10, 2013, 7:57 am

    This is a very nice story. Last year I lost my mother… but having read this story I missed my mom very much.. she loved me very very much.. but today I feel myself alone..

  • Allison November 1, 2013, 10:27 pm

    I really like this story. It’s amazing story for the new generation. God bless you dear.

  • Rehan aziz October 15, 2013, 4:41 am

    I can’t explain the emotions after the reading the story in words. It is really wonderful. I love you mother, father and all of you who has made this blog useful.

  • Spencer Nkosi October 12, 2013, 5:00 pm

    Thank you for sharing this story! It touched me so much and I promised myself to be a better son to my mother. I am going to tell her I love her everyday, and take care of her just like she did with me! I am reborn!

  • Manoj September 22, 2013, 2:55 am

    I am moved by this. Thanks a lot.

  • Sonakshi Gupta September 19, 2013, 3:50 am

    Waoh!!!

  • Jeson September 7, 2013, 9:11 am

    Thank you for this article, my eyes were teary while I was reading this article. I suddenly realize the importance of my mom who did so many things for me just to finish my studies. I haven’t seen her for years now.

  • Rona Arasain August 24, 2013, 6:05 am

    Very heartfelt story that made me shed tears while reading the whole article. It leaves a significant lessons to anyone who was able to read this. Love it so much…

  • Preciouswoman20 August 7, 2013, 4:25 am

    Wow!!! What a wonderful story… This story touches my heart so bad… I imagined that the love of our mother is the greatest love that I receive on this earth…. After reading this story, I realized that I need to spend time to my mother, the only woman who tried her best just to give everything that I wanted…and I want to do this back to her…..THANKS FOR THE STORY I LEARNED A LOT…

  • Syed Faheem August 5, 2013, 3:14 am

    Nice story with a strong message. It is to say open up to everybody.

  • Mohadeseh August 2, 2013, 3:35 pm

    What a great blog! You know I am proud of you because of this impressive weblog and of course the moral stories. I really enjoyed and some of the stories helped me out to face with life in Iran with all difficulties. I have compassion for myself for behaving bad to my mom. Excuse me mom….your girl was nut:)

  • Venkat July 30, 2013, 4:57 am

    Your story is awesome, learned the importance of time and my mom.

  • Ran July 22, 2013, 12:34 am

    Nice

  • Grace Elisan July 20, 2013, 1:25 pm

    Beautiful story.

  • UD July 19, 2013, 1:03 am

    Really good story….I never do this kind of things to my mama or father :'( I realized something after reading this story. They really need us but they don’t like to bother us so they don’t tell that they want us badly….they expecting our love every time..but we can’t understand that till we go that place some day….love you parents every time…some times they will be totally wrong but we should stay with them because we have only one mother and father till end of this life ….

  • Saba July 16, 2013, 5:13 am

    I never would write this story because it is sad that happened the same to me hahahah

  • Atirah July 5, 2013, 11:47 am

    I felt touched. I love to read stories in your blog that I’ve found. It could help improving my English. Plus, the above story was making me sad.

  • Amit mishra July 2, 2013, 11:40 pm

    It’s nice…mother love is the enly love which is true..love this story.. πŸ™‚

  • Ghazal June 30, 2013, 3:13 pm

    We must learn from this story …. we can have a good & happy time with our family… mother and father. Please Don’t Waste Our Time πŸ™‚

  • Ahmad Rajab June 23, 2013, 3:46 am

    Sensational story, I like it.

  • Junrey Belando June 21, 2013, 8:20 am

    I can hardly believe that at this time, I was able to remain strong enough for my family. I lost my dad at least a few days after I delivered my Valedictory Speech in high school and from then on, I stood as the bread winner of my family.

    It’s hard to lose someone from your family, and am just grateful that God has been my companion–my constant help whenever I feel so down and sorrowful.

    I’m away from my family now because I’m working for them.

    To all of you who are fortunate enough to have their families with them at this time, please value your family. Give time to them. You’re lucky enough to be with your families….Not everyone has that privilege.

    I miss my dad, my family.

  • Jenny June 20, 2013, 8:09 pm

    Thanks for posting this kind of story. I really miss my mom and my father. They have vehicular accident last 2012. My mother died on Oct. 2012 and 2 months after my father died on Jan 2013. I never had a chance to say “I love you” to them. I never had a time to spend value time with them since I am working in Manila. I wish I could return the time before the accident. So those who have still parents, dont wait for another day to spend time with them coz you’ll never know when GOD will take them and will said, it’s time up.

  • marms June 15, 2013, 1:15 am

    Very impressive story it’s just remember us that we are now today because of the presence of our parents.

  • Vini June 14, 2013, 1:40 am

    Life is so simple, we make it complicated, really you taught the meaning of it.

  • Tsquare June 10, 2013, 3:33 pm

    Mummy you are the best. I love you but have just realized it.

  • Chitzzi June 4, 2013, 2:27 pm

    Omg… I couldn’t fight the tears…and they are still coming! That was a really inspiring story!

  • Abhishek May 27, 2013, 4:43 am

    Hi Stephen its just an awesome inspirational story im so glad to find it..n i got emotional after reading

  • Umanath May 23, 2013, 4:21 am

    I lost my mother when I was 7. Tears rolled down my cheeks when I read this. I really miss my mother.

  • Subbareddy May 22, 2013, 2:19 am

    Good stories and motivational thanks for your good work.

  • Rehan May 14, 2013, 2:16 pm

    Very beautiful and inspring story.. Tnx dude. Be happy. Tak care.

  • Nilesh May 3, 2013, 5:49 am

    Dear Stephen,

    Thank you so much…….

  • Kamli April 15, 2013, 12:36 am

    Really, it is very pleasant thing for us to spend some time with someone who loves us.

  • Junrey Belando April 13, 2013, 6:28 am

    I can’t restrain the pain deep down, along with the bulk of tears flowing down from my eyes after I read the part leading to his mother’s death. I lost my dad, too when I was out of our house–I was a working high school student then and I feel every words from the story.

    True, as long as we still have our families, take time to spend with them. Even simple things that will remind them that they mean so much to you is such a precious one that counts as long as we still have the chance to show them our love.

  • Junz April 10, 2013, 8:55 pm

    I’m speechless, it’s so much touching.

  • Naveen April 8, 2013, 2:34 am

    Dude I don’t know who u are, but one thing I want to say is U brought tears to my eyes….I really like this website.. I have ever seen such a nice website with this much wonderful stories…Actually I am searching for short stories to improve my English but unfortunately (may be Gods grace) I got this site and u know what it reveals about me is “Before improving English u should learn about life, morals, values and many more…. I think I should concentrate on improving my life values…

    Thank you and I really love you for making me to know who I am ….:-)

  • Khadijah April 7, 2013, 12:57 pm

    This is very touching indeed. To those whose parents are still alive, it is still not too late for you to do something for your mom. Unfortunately for me, my mom had passed away since I was nine. My god bless her always. Rest in peace – mom.

  • Beryl April 6, 2013, 4:36 am

    Very touching story. Brought tears to my eyes.
    Thank you Stephen for sharing this!!!

  • Kamalkumar March 19, 2013, 10:35 am

    It is heart touching.

  • Joe Dave Longos March 7, 2013, 7:48 am

    I love you mom.

  • Amarta March 6, 2013, 11:37 am

    This story brings tears in my eyes, as I am living away from my sweet home and doing job, I realise that we are incomplete without our family.

  • John Grant March 3, 2013, 10:51 pm

    I was very moved by this story. How touching it is to think of our mothers and all that they have done for us. How quickly they are gone and how devastating the loss. Thank you for reminding me that tomorrow is uncertain; now is the only time we can act in with certainty.

  • Helga March 1, 2013, 7:06 am

    It is really a superb story. Too good. Thanks a lot for making me realize the importance of my family. God bless you!

  • Shree February 25, 2013, 9:50 am

    Ma eyes got wet….thanks a lot for this one.

  • Joel H Morales February 25, 2013, 12:02 am

    β€œWomen were created from the rib of man to be beside him, not from his head to top him, nor from his feet to be trampled by him, but from under his arm to be protected by him, near to his heart to be loved by him.”
    David O. Mckay

  • An-Tes February 21, 2013, 11:34 pm

    Heart touching one…..Better tell her I love her before it’s too late….I love u mom…

  • Bachi January 18, 2013, 2:04 am

    Hands-off to the writer, it is heart-touching

  • Kamini Singhania January 6, 2013, 2:18 pm

    Very touching and true. A mother is very touched and happy getting the simple attention from her children. I wish all children would understand this and give it to them. It’s really nice of you for posting this story. This may help those children realize this of which perhaps they were ignorant.

  • Krishnan January 1, 2013, 4:37 am

    Thank u for a nice story.

  • Shailesh Singh December 29, 2012, 2:14 am

    Very good story, today itself I will ask my husband to take my mother-in-law to dinner.

  • Venkatachalam Babu December 24, 2012, 8:33 am

    Couldn’t control the tears. Sentence from mom was very touching…. πŸ™‚

    β€œI 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.”

    Thanks for the wonderful story…

  • Vadde Raju December 23, 2012, 12:35 pm

    Lovable story… really. It touches my heart.

    Thanks for posting. Gud job.

  • Mina December 18, 2012, 11:50 am

    It was a wonderful story, I really enjoyed.

  • Bharti December 9, 2012, 11:34 am

    Very touching story….

  • Servjeet December 7, 2012, 6:36 am

    Outstanding story. I am so lucky to have a wonderful mom.

    I lost my father in my childhood but she never let us feel the lack of father, she gives us the love of both. I am where I am today just only because of her. May gGod bless her & my family always.

  • Anil November 27, 2012, 7:01 am

    Awesome story and everybody must read this story… Love u mom…..

  • Prachi November 23, 2012, 5:09 am

    Awesome story…!! Loved it so much. πŸ™‚

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