After twentyone years of marriage, one night my wife, Emily, turned to me and said, Youve got to invite another woman out for dinner and a film. I was taken aback. She smiled and added quietly, I love you, but theres someone else who loves you too and has been waiting a long time for a bit of your attention. That other woman was my mum, Margaret.
Mum had been on her own for nineteen years since dad passed away. Between work and looking after our three kids shed hardly seen me. That evening I rang her up and said, Mum, how about we go out for dinner and a movie tomorrow? Just the two of us. She asked, a little nervous, Whats wrong, love? Is everything alright? I told her, All good, Mum. I just want to spend an evening with you. She fell silent for a moment, then replied gently, Id love to.
On Friday after work I drove to pick her up. She was already waiting, all dressed up, smiling, in the same dress shed worn on our wedding anniversary. I told the girls Ive got a date with my son, she laughed, and theyre all waiting to hear how it went. We headed to a cosy little bistro in town. She took my arm, just like she used to when I was a child.
When the menu arrived I read it aloud because the print was tiny for her. She chuckled, I used to read the menu to you. I replied, Now its my turn, Mum. We talked for ages about life, memories, everything that had piled up over the years. We missed the film, but we didnt mind one bit.
When I got her home she said, Id love to do this again, but next time Ill be the one paying. I smiled and agreed. A few days later Mum suffered a heart attack and passed away suddenly. I never got the chance to say goodbye.
A short while after that I received an envelope with a copy of the restaurant bill and a note inside: I paid ahead. I wasnt sure Id make it, but I wanted to cover a dinner for two for you and your wife. Youll never know how much that night meant to me. Love you, son. Thats when I realised you should never put off saying I love you. Give the people you care about your time, because family isnt something you save for later. Family is right now.
