I came across a story online that has been circulating for a few years, and it always fills me with warmth and reminds me of the simple yet profound moments we often overlook.
I wanted to share it again, especially for those who might not have seen it before. It’s a touching tale about family, love, and the significance of making time for the people who matter most. Although the author is unknown, the message is timeless. I encourage you to take a moment to read it and let it resonate with you as it did with me.
“After 21 years of marriage, my wife suggested I take another woman out for dinner and a movie. She said, ‘I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would enjoy spending time with you.’
The woman my wife was referring to was my mother, who had been a widow for 19 years. Due to the demands of my job and raising our three children, I hadn’t been able to visit her as often as I would have liked.
That evening, I called her to invite her out for dinner and a movie.
‘Is something wrong? Are you okay?’ she asked, as she often suspected that a late-night call or unexpected invitation meant bad news.
‘I thought it would be nice to spend some time together,’ I replied. ‘Just the two of us.’
After a moment of thought, she said, ‘I would love that very much.’
On that Friday after work, I felt a bit nervous as I drove to pick her up. When I arrived, I noticed she seemed a bit anxious about our outing. She stood at the door in her coat, having curled her hair and wearing the dress she had last worn for her wedding anniversary. With a radiant smile, she said, ‘I told my friends I was going out with my son, and they were impressed. They can’t wait to hear all about it.’
We went to a cozy, nice restaurant—not overly fancy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. As we sat down, I had to read the menu for her, as she could only read large print. Halfway through the meal, I looked up to find her staring at me with a nostalgic smile. ‘I used to read the menu when you were little,’ she said. ‘Well, it’s time for you to relax and let me return the favor,’ I replied.
During dinner, we enjoyed a pleasant conversation—nothing extraordinary, just catching up on each other’s lives. We talked so much that we missed the movie. When I dropped her off later, she said, ‘I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you next time.’ I agreed.
‘How was your dinner date?’ my wife asked when I got home.
‘It was lovely—much better than I expected,’ I replied.
A few days later, my mother passed away suddenly from a heart attack. It happened so quickly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope containing a copy of the restaurant receipt from our dinner. An attached note read: ‘I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure if I could be there, but I paid for two meals—one for you and one for your wife. You’ll never know how much that night meant to me.
I love you, son.’
In that moment, I understood the importance of expressing love in a timely manner and giving our loved ones the time they deserve. Nothing is more important than family. Make time for them, because these moments can’t be postponed until ‘some other time.’
If you’re fortunate enough to still have your parents in your life, cherish the gift of time together—you’ll never regret it!