Being a Mother (Author Unknown)

A good friend sent me an email with this story in it, by an unknown author. I googled it and found it on a website www.inspire21.com/stories/familystories/beingamother. As I sat here with tears rolling down my eyes, I figured even if it isn't Mother's Day, I wanted to share it. It is a great reminder of what is truly important in life, spending time with the people you love the most. I am so grateful to have two amazing children who express their love for me, even as teenagers. Being a mother has been one of the most challenging, yet the most wonderful experience - far beyond what I could ever have imagined. I don't think there are enough words to describe the love I have for my kids, and I am not sure that they will ever realize it until they have their own. The quote attached to this is one that I shared with my Mom, because out of everything in life we could have had, the one thing she left me was the feeling of being unconditionally loved, and she didn't realize how much she meant to the world. She is no longer in the physical realm, but she resides with me always. Being a Mom is such a blessing. Remember to tell the people you hold dear "I love you" as often as possible. Namaste :) 

BEING A MOTHER...
After 26 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 alone for 11 years,
 but the demands of my work and my 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, aren't 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 it would be nice to spend some
time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."
She said, "I would like that very much."
* * *
That Friday as I drove over to pick
her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived , I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous
about our 'date.'  She waited in the door.  She had fixed her hair nicely and was wearing the
outfit that she had worn to celebrate her last
birthday.
* * *
She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an
angel's.  Mom said: "I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my son, and they were impressed," she said,
as she got into my vehicle. "They can't wait to hear about our date."
* * *
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.  I responded, "then it's time that you relax and
let me return the favor."
* * *
During the dinner, we had such a nice conversation- -nothing extraordinary, but catching up
on events of each others 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 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....somebody
doesn't know that once you're a mother,
'normal' is history.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct...somebody never 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 you don't need an education to be a
mother...somebody never helped a fourth grader
with their math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as
much as you love the first...somebody doesn't
have more than one child.
* * *
Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother
is labor and delivery....
somebody never watched her 'baby' go to their
first day of school...
or head off to university, or move away from home.
* * *
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..