[Breathe-Support) Being a Mother

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BEING A MOTHER> >> >After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman outto> >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 hasbeen> >a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three childrenhad> >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 the n said, "I would like thatvery> >much."> >> >That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bitnervous.> >When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to benervous> >about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curledher> >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 andcozy.> >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 staringat> >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 relaxand> >let me return the favor," I responded.> >> >During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothingextraordinary> >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 happenedso> >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 restaurantreceipt> >from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: "Ipaid> >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 LOVEYOU"> >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."> >> >Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've> >had a baby.... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "normal"is> >history.> >> >Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct ..... somebodynever> >took a three-year-old shopping..> >> >Somebody said being a mother is boring .... somebody never rode in a car> >driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a> >"good" mother, your child will "turn out good"....somebody thinks a child> >comes with directions and a guarantee.> >> >Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices ..... somebodynever> >came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball> >through the neighbor's kitchen window.> >> >Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother..... somebody> >never helped a fourth grader with his math.> >> >Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love thefirst> >.... somebody doesn't have two children.> >> >Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing> >questions in the books.... somebody never had a child stuff beans up his> >nose or in his ears.> >> >Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and> >delivery....somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for thefirst> >day of kindergarten .. or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."> >> >Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand> >tied behind her back ..somebody never organized seven giggling Browniesto> >sell cookies.> >> >Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets> >married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or> >daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.> >> >Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves> >home....somebody never had grandchildren.> >> >Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell> >her.... somebody isn't a mother.>>>