My friend, Arinola, forwarded this message to all mothers and mothers to be (including me). I found the message touching and inspiring, so I decided to share it with everyone.
Please, read on. I'm using it to celebrate our mothers and to tell them how much they're loved and appreciated.
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Celebrating Motherhood
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 Mother 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 favour", 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."
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.... that somebody doesn't know that once you're a Mother, "normal" is history.
Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first....that somebody doesn't have two or more children.
Somebody said the hardest part of being a Mother is labour and delivery....that somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ...or on a plane headed for military "boot camp."
Somebody said a Mother can stop worrying after her child gets married ....that 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....that somebody never had grandchildren.
Somebody said your Mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her....that somebody isn't a Mother.
Hi Bukola,really cant believe you published that at 4a.m.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, i never hide the fact that the best thing to ever happened to me in this world is my mother. She is the most wonderful person in the world. Infact i know that when i finally settle down,there is probably going to be a conflict of emotion and feelings for my mum and my wife.
I came from a polygamous family where it is the mother that takes care of her children.We are 4 from my mum,3 wonderful ladies and my humble self. Though people do believe that i am spoilt cos i am the only boy,but that is far from the truth.I was raised by my mum with the proverbial iron hand,she took no nonsense,she was nicknamed "iya onigba" because of her stance on education. Today,i am a qualified medical practitioner,my eldest sister is a physist and she is abroad with her family,the second studied marketing and she is also a chartered accountant based in Ibadan and my immediate elder sister is presently doing her masters in international relations. What else can a mother, who has sacrificed so much,ask for. Believed i can climbed the tallest mountain,swim the deepest ocean if it will make my mum happy. I can do anything for her. So my dear,you can understand why it is difficult for me as per my relationship problems.
We should be celebrating our mothers daily and always.
Good to know you appreciate your mum. I'm glad you know of her importance and value.
ReplyDeleteI'm also from a polygamous family (also the only girl from my mum) but then, I appreciate my step mothers like I do my mum. They are all great women.
Concerning conflict of emotions, you need to apply wisdom. The love you'll have for your mum is not the same you'll have for your wife. Love both of them for who they are and these love should not be compared. The love your mum has for you is different from the one he has for your dad. So, apply wisdom, no comparism, no name calling (e.g. my mum can cook better than you. If that's it, can you marry your mum?).
If your mum is better than your wife in any way, you shouldn't compare or say it to your wife. They're 2 different people in your life. Your mum could be better as a result of years of experience. Give your wife time, then she'd also work on herself. So, no comparism, no conflict of emotions.
Wish you all the best!
And thanks for reading up my articles everyday.