⛪Get ready for second coming ✝️

 Every minute someone leaves this world behind. Age has nothing to do with it.

We are all in "the line" without knowing it.

We never know how many people are before us.

We can not move to the back of the line.

We can not step out of the line.

We can not avoid the line.

So while we wait in line:

Make moments count.

Make priorities.

Make the time.

Make your gifts known.

Make a nobody feel like a somebody.

Make your voice heard.

Make the small things big.

Make someone smile.

Make the change.

Make love.

Make up.

Make peace.

Make sure to tell your people they are loved.

Make sure to have no regrets.

Make sure you are ready… 

- Marianne Baum

👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Waiting- hurts ☹

 

The fate of parents is to wait for their children. They wait during pregnancy, they wait after school, they wait for them to return home after a night out. They wait as their children start their own lives. They wait for them to come home from work to a warm dinner. They wait with love, with anxiety, and sometimes with fleeting anger that dissipates as soon as they see their children and can embrace them.

Make sure your elderly parents don't have to wait any longer. Visit them, love them, hug the ones who loved you like no one else ever will. Don't keep them waiting; they're expecting this from you.

Because bodies age, but the hearts of parents never grow old. Love them as much as you can. No one will love you like your parents do. ❤️

🍃Useless turns to useful🌲

 My mother used to cook beans, but before she cooked them, she would pick out the bad and dirty ones and throw them in our backyard, only cooking the good beans.

But when the rain came, those dirty and bad beans became seeds, grew, and looked beautiful. Interestingly, the same person who threw them away started harvesting them, realizing that the beans she discarded had value after all.

• Now, let me tell you:

1. Don't cry when people throw you aside.

2. Don't cry when they reject you.

3. Don't cry when they look down on you.

4. Some may see you as a burden.

5. Some may say you’re too slow or dull.

6. Some may blame you for your past mistakes. Don't worry.

The rain is coming, and the same people who rejected you will invite you back.

God loves even those who are left out and looked down upon. God will bless you—just stay connected to Him, and everyone will see how valuable you are.

🧡Lies my mom told me👧

 

8 LIES MY MOM TOLD ME

This story began when I was a child. I was born into a poor family that often didn’t have enough food to fill our hungry stomachs. During meal times, Mother would give me her portion of rice. As she transferred her rice into my bowl, she would always say, “Eat this rice, son. I’m not hungry.”

That was Mother’s First Lie.

As I grew up, my persevering mother spent her spare time fishing to provide me with nutrition. She would cook fresh fish soup for me, and while I ate, she would sit beside me, quietly picking at the remnants left on the fish bones I had finished. Feeling touched, I would offer her the other fish portion, but she always refused, saying, “Eat the fish, son. I don’t really like fish.”

That was Mother’s Second Lie.

When I was in junior high school, Mother took on extra work assembling used matchboxes to help fund my studies. One night, I woke up and saw her still working by candlelight. I said, “Mom, go to sleep. It’s late, and you have to work tomorrow.” She smiled and replied, “Go to sleep, dear. I’m not tired.”

That was Mother’s Third Lie.

The final term arrived, and Mother took leave from work to be with me. She patiently waited for hours in the heat while I finished my exam. When it ended, she welcomed me and poured a cup of tea from a flask. Seeing her covered in sweat, I offered her my cup, but she pushed it back and said, “Drink, son. I’m not thirsty!”

That was Mother’s Fourth Lie.

After my father died, my mother had to provide for us alone. Life became harder, more complicated, and we suffered daily. Despite our worsening situation, we were blessed with a kind old man who visited and helped us occasionally. Neighbors often advised my mom to remarry, but she refused, saying, “I don’t need love.”

That was Mother’s Fifth Lie.

After I finished my studies and got a job, it was time for my mom to retire. But she didn’t want to, she went to the marketplace every morning to sell vegetables to support herself. I worked in another city and often sent her money to help, but she wouldn’t accept it. Sometimes, she even sent the money back, saying, “I have enough money.”

That was Mother’s Sixth Lie.

With my Bachelor's Degree, I pursued a Master's funded by a company scholarship and got a job there. I planned to bring my mother to live with me so she could enjoy her life in the city, but she didn’t want to inconvenience me. She said, “I’m not used to that kind of life, son.”

That was Mother’s Seventh Lie.

In her later years, Mother became seriously ill and needed to be hospitalized. I traveled across the ocean to be by her side. She lay weak and exhausted on her bed after surgery, her frail appearance a stark reminder of the toll the illness had taken. Though she tried to smile warmly, it was clear it took considerable effort on her part. Seeing her like this broke my heart, and my tears flowed freely without me even realizing. Despite her own suffering, she gathered her remaining strength and said softly, “Don’t cry, my dear. I’m not in pain.”

That was Mother’s Eighth and Last Lie.

After uttering her final lie, my beloved mother closed her eyes forever, leaving behind a poignant silence that spoke louder than words ever could.

I realized that the greatest acts of love are often hidden behind simple, everyday sacrifices. Cherish the silent struggles of those who love us, for they reveal the depth of their devotion.

😳Dont scared of mistakes ☺️

 

 “If milk🍶 is wasted, it becomes yogurt. 🍨

Yogurt is more valuable than milk.

If it gets any worse, it becomes cheese. 🧀

Cheese is more valuable than yogurt and milk.

And if grape juice🍇 turns sour, it turns into wine, 🍷which is even more expensive than grape juice.

You're not bad because you made mistakes. Mistakes ❌are experiences that make you more valuable as a person. 😎

Christopher Columbus made a navigation error that led him to discover America. 🗺

Alexander Fleming's mistake led him to invent penicillin. 💉

Don't let your mistakes ✖depress you. It's not practice that makes perfect✔. It's the mistakes we learn from that make perfect!”✅

Don't be scared of mistakes 

more bigger steps ahead 

just keep going.

💑 Stages of Marriage 👫

 THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF MARRIAGE.

1. THE AMAZEMENT STAGE: This is the "wow" stage. Lots of new things to discover with your spouse. The newness, the freshness is so amazing. Sleeping on the same bed, wearing the same attire, cooking for him, doing house chores with her, bathing together. Wearing your dazzling wedding ring everywhere, turning people's head at the newest couple around. Loads and lots of fun. Sexual exploration and excitement. Being in control of your kitchen, feeding him and lots more. It's the honeymoon stage and it's so so beautiful.

2. THE IRRITATION STAGE: This is when you begin to notice weaknesses you have overlooked or blissfully wish they go away but didn't. The repetition of such weaknesses begins to work on your nerves and you are getting irritated: he snores a lot, she is slow in the kitchen, she belches loudly, he screams unnecessarily, she won't bathe before coming to bed or shave, he spends many hours watching football and ignores you when you talk. "What's just wrong with this guy?" You think aloud, well it's part of marriage.

3. THE ANGER STAGE: This is when the repetition of such weaknesses gets on your nerves and you display your anger. The introverted partners stuffs it in and either keep malice, avoid you or stubbornly continue with the irritating habit. It's the stage you begin to wonder: "have I really married the wrong guy?" "Have I married the wrong woman?" No, you did not, you are simply going through a phase together.

4. THE RESOLUTION STAGE: When you both begin to face the reality of marriage and acknowledge your partner's weaknesses. You eventually realize anger and malice does not solve any problem and begins to find ways to deal with your differences, both of you begin to compromise here and there and adjust to each other.

5. THE ACCEPTANCE STAGE: When it dawned on you that some things are just part of your partner and may never change. You resigned from anger, abuse and quarrel and choose to accept them, lovingly adjust to them and enjoy them regardless of their weaknesses.

6. THE RESTFUL STAGE:This is the stage you permanently accept them with all their strengths, weaknesses, short comings and flaws and love them unconditionally regardless of what they do. This is real love -agape, divine and true. You reconnect emotionally, spiritually and physically at a deeper level and enjoy honey moon again while building a lasting marriage regardless of the challenges you face.

There is no perfect marriage. Every marriage goes through this stages. How you handle it will determine if you will come out bitter or better.

You don't have to abuse your spouse or keep malice if God is at the centre of your home and you obey the word of God daily.

Nevertheless, do not be disappointed if you go through the unpleasant stages in marriage. It is a phase and will surely end.

Handle your marriage with wisdom and keep loving regardless of the challenges you face. That is what will make your marriage a heaven on earth experience. Thanks for reading.

👩‍✈️🕵️‍♀️👮‍♀️👩‍🚒👸🧕👩‍🦰She doesn't work👩‍⚕️👩‍🎓👩‍🏫👩‍⚖👩‍🍳👩‍🌾👩‍🏭👩‍🎨👩‍💼

 MY WIFE DOES NOT WORK!!!

Conversation between a Husband (H) and a Psychologist (P):

P: What do u do for a living Mr. Bandy?

H: I work as an Accountant in a Bank.

P: your Wife ?

H: She doesn't work, She's only a housewife.

P: Who makes breakfast for your family in the morning?

H: My Wife, because she doesn't work.

P: At what time does your wife wake up for making breakfast?

H: She wakes up at around 5am because she cleans the house first before making breakfast.

P: How do your kids go to school?

H: My wife takes them to school, because she doesn't work.

P: After taking ur kids to school, what does she do?

H: She goes to the market, then goes back home for cooking and laundry. You

know she doesn't work.

P: In the evening, after you go back home from office, what do you do?

H: Takes a rest because I’m tired due to all day's work.

P: What does your wife do then?

H: She prepares meals, serving our kids, preparing meals for me and cleaning

the dishes, cleaning the house then taking kids bed.

***Whom do you think works more from the story above???

The daily routines of your wives commence from early morning to late night and

you called that DOESN'T WORK?

Yes, being housewives do not need certificate of Study, even high position,

but their role/part is very important!

Appreciate your wives because their sacrifices are uncountable, this should be a

reminder and reflection for all of us to understand and appreciate each others

roles.

***All about a woman***

When she is quiet, millions of things are running in her mind.

When she stares at you she is wondering why she loves you so much in spite of

being taken for granted.

When she says I will stand by you she will stand by you like a rock.

Never hurt her or take her wrong for granted.

A very heart touching message by a

woman.

Someone asked her, Are you a working woman or a housewife?

She replied:

Yes, I am a full-time

working housewife.

9+

I work 24 hours a day.

I'm a Mum.

I'm a Wife.

I'm a Daughter.

I'm a Daughter-in-law.

I'm an Alarm clock.

I'm a Cook.

I'm a Maid.

I'm a Teacher.

I'm a Waiter.

I'm a Nanny.

I'm a Nurse.

I'm a Handyman.

I'm a Security officer.

I'm a Counselor.

I'm a Comforter.

I don't get holidays.

I don't get sick leave.

I don't get day off.

I work through day and night.

I'm on call all hours and get paid with a

sentence.

***What Do you do all Day??

***Dedicated to all women***

Woman has the most unique character like salt, her presence is never

remembered but her absence makes all the things tasteless.

Pass it to all the lovely ladies...

Your Mother.

Your Wife.

Your daughter.

Your sister and your friend.

Share to every woman to make her smile and to every man to make him realize a

woman's worth.

 Amen....🙏🙏

🧔Father's handprints 👐

~Father's handprints ~ 

✋🏽 🖐🏽 🤚🏽 

Father had grown old and would take support of the wall while walking. As a result the walls had discoloured, wherever he used to touch and his fingerprints got printed on the walls.

My wife detected this and would often complain about the dirty looking walls.

One day, he was having headache, so he massaged some oil onto his head. So, while walking oil stains were formed on the walls. 

My wife screamed at me seeing this.  And I in turn shouted at my father and spoke to him rudely, advising him not to touch the walls while walking.

He looked hurt. I also felt ashamed of my behaviour , but did not say anything to him.

Father stopped holding the wall while walking. And fell down one day. He became bedridden and left us shortly. I felt guilt in my heart and could never forget his expressions and forgive myself of his demise shortly thereafter. 

After sometime,  we wanted to get our house painted. When the painters came, my son, who adored his grandfather,  did not allow the painters to clean father's fingerprints, and paint those areas.

The painters were very good and innovative. They assured him that they will not remove my father's fingerprints/ handprints, rather would draw a beautiful circle around these marks and create a unique design.

This continued thereafter and those prints become part of our house. Every person visiting our home admired our unique design. 

With time, I also grew old.

Now I needed the support of wall to walk. One day while walking, I remembered 

my words to my father, and tried to walk without support. My son saw this and immediately came to me and asked me to take support of the walls while walking, expressing concern that I would have fallen without support, I realised that my son was holding me.

My grand daughter immediately came forward and affectionately,  asked me put my hand on her shoulder for support. I almost started crying silently. Had I done the same for my father, he would have lived longer.

My grand daughter took me along and made me sit on the sofa.

Then she took out her drawing book to show me.

Her teacher had admired her drawing and given her excellent remarks. 

The sketch was of my father's handprint on the walls. 

*Her  comment -  “wish every child loves elders in same way.”*

I came back to my room and started crying profusely, asking forgiveness from my father, who was no more.

*We also grow old with time.  Let's take care of our elders and teach the same to our children.*

**************

😥😰😭🙏🫡

🏅The best yet to come🎀

 The best has been kept aside for the chosen one!

It would be kept safe till you arrive there

God has set aside your blessing for you

No man could stop it from reaching your hands

God has glorious plans for your life

None of them shall be thwarted

God knows what is best for you

He knows your past, present and your future

Though we may not perceive what He has for us

He is still working on our behalf

Believe, the best is in store for you!

God always gives the best to His beloved ones

*1 Samuel 9:23*

*Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside."*

YOUR PIECE OF MEAT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR YOU! NONE CAN STEAL YOUR BLESSING!! YOU WILL SURELY INHERIT THE BLESSINGS HE HAS IN STORE YOU - JUST BELIEVE!!!

🎀Valuable gift🎁

 

*A Touching Story*

“In 1979, I was managing a Wendy's in Port Richey, Florida.  

Unlike today, staffing was never a real problem, but I was searching for a someone to work three hours a day only at lunch. I went thru all my applications and most were all looking for full time or at least 20 hours per week. I found one however, buried at the bottom of a four-inch stack that was only looking for lunch part-time. His name was Nicky. 

Hadn't met him but thought I would give him a call and see if he could stop by for an interview. When I called, he wasn't in but his mom said she would make sure he would be there.

At the accorded time, Nicky walked in. One of those moments when my heart went in my throat. Nicky had Downs Syndrome. His physical appearance was a giveaway and his speech only reinforced the obvious. I was young and sheltered. Had never interacted on a professional level with a developmentally disabled person. I had no clue what to do, so I went ahead and interviewed him.

He was a wonderful young man. 

Great outlook.

Task focused. 

Excited to be alive. 

For reasons only God knew at that time, I hired him. 3 hours a day, 3 days a week to run a grill. I let the staff know what to expect. Predictably, the crew made sure I got the message, "no one wants to work with a retard."

To this day I find that word offensive. We had a crew meeting, cleared the air, and prepared for his arrival. Nicky showed up for work right on time.

He was so excited to be working. He stood at the time clock literally shaking with anticipation. He clocked in and started his training. Couldn't multi task, but was a machine on the grill. Now for the fascinating part.....

Back in that day, there were no computer screens to work from. Every order was called by the cashier.

It required a great deal of concentration on the part of all production staff to get the order right.

While Nicky was training during his first shift, the sandwich maker next to him asked the grillman/trainer what was on the next sandwich. 

Nicky replied, "single, no pickle no onion." A few minutes later it happened again. It was then that we discovered Nicky had a hidden and valuable skill.

He memorized everything he heard! Photographic hearing ? WHAT A SKILL ! It took 3 days and every sandwich maker requested to work with Nicky. He immediately was accepted by the entire crew. After his shift he would join the rest of his crew family, drinking Coke like it was water! 

It was then that they discovered another 

Rainman-esque trait. 

Nicky was a walking/talking perpetual calendar! With a perpetual calendar as a reference, they would sit for hours asking him what day of the week was December 22, 1847 or some more. He never missed. This uncanny trait mesmerized the crew.

His mom would come in at 2 to pick him up.

More times than not, the crew would be back there with him hamming it up. 

As I went to get him from the back, his mom said something I will never forget. "Let him stay there as long as he wants.

He has never been accepted anywhere like he has been here." I excused myself and dried my eyes, humbled and broken-hearted at the lesson I just learned.

Nicky had a profound impact on that store. His presence changed a lot of people. Today I believe with every fiber of my body that Nicky's hiring was no accident. God's Timing and Will is Perfect.

We are all like Nicky. 

We each have our shortcomings. We each have our strong points. But we are all of value. God made us that way and God doesn't make mistakes. 

*Nicky certainly wasn't a mistake.*

He was a valuable gift that I am forever grateful for. 

God doesn't care if you are rich or poor, republican or democrat,  black or white. 

He doesn't care if your chromosome structure is perfect. 

He doesn't care what level of education you have attained. 

So let’s check our hearts. ❤️

*There is a little bit of Nicky in all of us and I suspect there is a Nicky somewhere in your life that is looking for the chance to be embraced.*❤️❤️

After Death

 (Borrowed)

MY HOUSE WAS ABOUT TO BE LOCKED ......

 On the 29th of November 2018 just because I was not able to pay the rent.

I posted it on facebook seeking for help, but all I got were 2 likes & zero comments.

So l sent 250 messages to my contact list requesting for a loan of $1500.

Sadly only 10 people replied. 6 out of the 10 claimed they couldn't help. Only 1 out of the 4 who said they could help actually gave me some money but the rest only gave me excuses and never picked my calls. 

In the end, my door was locked.

 I had no where to sleep. 

I walked in the dark seeking options and sadly a thief stole my empty purse with my identity card in it. 

He was badly hit by a fast moving car as he was running away, so he died. 

Fast forward>> The next day, news quickly spread around that I had died.

About 2,500 people posted on my wall how they knew me. 

How great I was !

A committee was formed by my,

 *loyal friends* who contributed $18000 to feed guests at my funeral.

My colleagues at work teamed up and brought another $4500 for a coffin, tents and chairs.

I was to be burried in a coffin worth $1500- the same amount I needed for rent.

Relatives also met. It was a rare occasion for them to meet, so they met and contributed an extra $3000.

Everyone wanted to volunteer in order to appear they were helping. 

They printed T-shirts with my image. 

Each T-Shirt costing $2,50, so the T-shirt man made about $25000 from my presumed death.

Everyone wanted to speak at my funeral. 

There was drama all over from people who never knew how l survived. 

There was even rumour that I was murdered by my friends. 

Speeches were made on how talented I was, even by those who never attended my events. 

The few friends who supported me didn't even get the chance to speak during my funeral - although they knew the Truth. 

In fact, they were prime suspects for my ‘death’.

You could imagine how the scene turned after I showed up alive! 

Some thought l was a ghost.

*THIS IS THE IRONY OF LIFE; WE LOVE THE DEAD MORE THAN THE LIVING*

~ Author Unknown

It's the absolute truth of today's world..

Dont be an duck 🦆, be an eagle🦅

 

நண்பர் வெளியூர் செல்ல Call Taxi 

ஒன்றை ஏற்பாடு செய்திருந்தார்.

அவர் கவனித்தது காரின் பின்னால் ஓட்டியிருந்த ஆங்கில வாக்கியம்.

*Duck or Eagle

You decide*

அடுத்து அவர் கவனத்தை 

கவர்ந்தது (Clean and shiny)பளிச்சென்று சுத்தமாக இருந்த கார்.

டிரைவர் நல்ல வெள்ளையுடை அணிந்து பளிச்சென்று புன்னகையுடன் இருந்தார்.

அவரே வந்து கார் கதவை திறந்து 

நண்பரை அன்போடு அமர சொன்னாராம்.

அழகான டிரைவிங். கேட்டதற்கு 

மட்டும் தெளிவான பதில்.

நண்பர்  அந்த ஓட்டுனரின் அழகிய செயல்களால் மிகவும், கவரப்படார்.

பொதுவாக Call Taxi டிரைவர்கள் சற்று இறுக்கமாகவே இருப்பார்கள். பயணம் முடிந்தவுடன் அவர் யாரோ? நாம் யாரோ? என்ற கண்ணோட்ட்த்தோடு.

இந்த டிரைவர் மிகவும் வித்தியாசமாக கண்ணியமாக நட்போடு இருந்தார்.

பட்டதாரியும் கூட.

அவரிடம் எப்போதுமே நீங்கள் இப்படித்தானா? என்று நண்பர் கேட்டிருக்கிறார்.

இல்லை சார். நானும் மற்ற டிரைவர்ஸ் 

போல்தான் இருந்தேன். சத்தம் போட்டு கொண்டு.குறை கூறி கொண்டு "என்றார்.

எப்படி உங்களை நீங்களே மாற்றி கொண்டீர்கள்? என்று நண்பர் கேட்டிருக்கிறார்.

ஒரு Client seminar ஒன்றிற்கு சென்றார் . சும்மா டாக்ஸியில் அமர்ந்திருப்பதற்கு கேட்கலாமே, என்று உள்ளே நுழைந்தேன். அந்த seminar என்னை மாற்றி விட்டது" என்றார்.

என்ன Seminar?

உங்களை நீங்களே உயர்த்திக் 

கொள்வது எப்படி ?

என்ன சொன்னார்கள்?

பல அறிவுரைகள். என்னை மிகவும்

கவர்ந்தது இதுதான்.

காலையில் எழுந்திருக்கும் போதே

இந்த நாள் சரியாக இருக்காது என்று எதிர்மறை சிந்தனையோடு எழுந்தால் அந்த நாள் கண்டிப்பாக நன்றாக இருக்காது."

இதையே ஆங்கிலத்தில் சொன்னார்கள்.

அப்போதுதான் அதன் ஆழம் புரிந்தது.

*If you get up in the morning 

expecting a bad day,you will.

Don't be a Duck

Be an Eagle*

*The ducks only make noise and complaints.

The eagles soar above the group*.

அந்த அறிவுரை என்னை

மிகவும் கவர்ந்தது.

என்னை நானே சுய பரிசோதனை

செய்து கொண்டேன்.

நான் Duck போல இருப்பதை உணர்ந்தேன். ஏன் Eagle போல இருக்க கூடாது என்று எண்ணினேன். என்னை நானே மாற்றி கொண்டேன் என்றார்.

எல்லா Customer இடமும் அன்போடு பணிவாக நடந்து கொள்ள ஆரம்பித்தேன்.

மன அமைதி மட்டுமல்ல. என் வருமானமும் பெருகியது. Always my taxi busy.ஒரு முறை பயணம் செய்தவர்கள், என்னையே அழைக்க ஆரம்பித்தார்கள்" என்றார்.

நண்பர் சொன்னபோது எனக்கே

அவரை பார்க்க வேண்டும் போல்

இருந்தது.

அவர் சொன்னது உண்மைதான். 

எந்த வேலையாக இருந்தாலும்,

நாம் நடந்து கொள்ளும் நடத்தையும்,அர்ப்பணிப்பு உணர்வுமே,

(behaviour and involvement) நம்மை உயர்த்தும். 

உயர உயர வாழ்வில்

Eagle போல பறக்க வைக்கும்.

இப்பொழுது நம் முன்னால் 

இருக்கும் ஒரே கேள்வி :

நாம் எப்படி வாழ வேண்டும்?

Duck or Eagle ?

முடிவு எடுக்க வேண்டியது நாமே.

நல்ல நண்பனாக, நல்ல சகோதரனாக, 

நல்ல அப்பாவாக, நல்ல கணவனாக, 

நல்ல அம்மாவாக, நல்ல மனைவியாக, குறிப்பாக நல்ல குடிமகனாக மாறுவது

எல்லாமே நம் கையில்தான்......

➿ Die Empty ⚰

 

*Die empty*

The most beautiful book to read is "Die Empty" by Todd Henry.

The author was inspired and got this idea of writing ​​this book while attending a business meeting. 

When the director asked the audience: "Where is the richest land in the world?"

One of the audience answered: "Oil-rich Gulf states." 

Another added: "Diamond mines in Africa."

Then the director said: "No it is the cemetery. Yes, it is the richest land in the world, because millions of people have departed/died and they carried many valuable ideas that did not come to light nor benefit others. It is all in the cemetery where they are buried."

Inspired by this answer, Todd Henry wrote his book, "Die empty" where he did his best to motivate people to pour out their ideas and potential energies in their communities and turn them into something useful before it is too late.

The most beautiful of what he said in his book is: "Do not go to your grave and carry inside you the best that you have.

 *Always choose to die empty.*

The TRUE meaning of this  expression, is to die empty of all the goodness that is within you. Deliver it to the world, before you leave.

If you have an idea perform it.

If you have knowledge give it out.

If you have a goal achieve it.

Love, share and distribute, do not keep it inside.

Let’s begin to give. Remove and spread every atom of goodness inside us.

Start the race.

      💐☺ *Die Empty*😊💐

👩Love👩‍🦳

🙍

 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 had been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my 3 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 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 Mom 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 favor,” 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 where 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.”