After twenty one years of marriage, my wife wanted me to meet another woman for dinner and a movie. She said: I love you, but I know that this other woman also loves you and would like to spend some time with you. The other woman my wife wanted me to meet was my mother, who has been a widow for nineteen years.

Since I am very busy with work and engaged with the children, I have been forced to meet him very rarely. That night I called him and asked him out to dinner with me and then to watch a movie.

“What happened, are you okay?”, she asked.

My mother is the kind of woman who suspects that a late-night phone call or an unexpected invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought it would be nice to spend some time with you,” I replied, “Just the two of us.” She thought a little, and then said, “I would very much like to.” This Friday after work, I went to receive it, I was a little nervous.

When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she also seemed nervous about our meeting. She was waiting at the door with her coat on. She had dyed her hair and was wearing the dress she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.

She smiled with a face that it was as bright as an angel. “I told my friends I was going out with my son for dinner and they were very impressed,” she said as she got into the car, “They can’t wait to tell me about our date.” We went to a restaurant that, while not very fancy, was nice and cozy.

My mother put her arm around me like she was the First Lady. After we were seated, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large letters. While I was reading the menu, I looked up and saw my mom sitting there watching me.

A nostalgic smile was on her face. “It used to be me who I used to read the menu when you were little because you hadn’t learned to read yet,” she said.

“Then it’s time for you to rest, and now I have a chance to return the favor,” I replied. During dinner, we had a pleasant conversation, nothing extraordinary just showing each other the things we’ve done recently. We talked so much that when we remembered, the movie was over.

When we got to her house she said, “I’ll go out on a date with you again, but only if you let me ask you out.” I accepted. “How did the date go?” my wife asked when I got home. “Very good. Much better than I could have imagined,” I replied. A few days later, my mother passed away from a heart trouble.

It happened so suddenly that there was nothing I could do to save her.

Some time later, I received an envelope that had a receipt from the same restaurant my mother and I dined in. On the other hand another had a note that said, “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure if I could come; but anyway, I paid for two people, one for you and one for your wife.

You’ll never understand what that night means to me. I love you, boy!” In that moment I realized the importance of saying “I love you” on time and giving our loved ones the time they deserve. Lesson: Nothing in life is more important than your family.

Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off for “another time.” Behave well and respect those who raised you with a lot of trouble, especially with your mother. You will not always have the chance to be with them. One day you will miss them very much, but it will be too late.

A respect for those women who respect their husband’s parents and an even greater respect for those men who respect their wife’s parents. Thanks for following me and I wish you nothing but the best!