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. “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. 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 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 – 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.”
Radhanath Swami concludes that, “Things can give pleasure to the mind and senses, but only love can give pleasure to the heart. And ultimately, that is what we are looking for.” Make room to express your love to your family, friends and people around you when they are around!
17 replies on “Paid in Full”
Thanks for sharing such a nice article. We actually enclose ourselves in the cage of our work and tasks and don’t want to come out of it hurting many closed ones.
A heart touching story. If we keep Krishna in center, we will do everything right. Thank you Radhanath Swami for this message.
Very tragic incident..really explains the heart of a mother!!
What a wonderful story – a mother’s love is so touching.
Very nice message from Radhanath Swami “Things can give pleasure to the mind and senses, but only love can give pleasure to the heart. And ultimately, that is what we are looking for.” It’s very true and if we follow what he says, we would find real peace in our lives.
Absolutely Amazing !!
Radhanath Swami gets to the ROOT of the problem. This is not just a story it is a reality we are living in and its better we change before its too late.
Thank you very much.
With a grateful heart
Thanks for sharing this wonderful lesson-“Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till some other time.”
evrything was a special one specially- I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve……. & so do I understand
This story is really heart touching and an eye-opener about our responsibilities towards our parents. Thanks for sharing this.
Very heart-touching incident. We must take out time from work for friends & family. Thanks to Radhanath Maharaj. Thanks for sharing.
It makes sense to make dear ones feel our love, as life is very uncertain. Thanx for posting wonderful article.
Glorious is your wife to free and inspire you for that meeting. Most of the times the possessiveness doesn’t allow the wives to recommend something like this to husbands. Fortunate was your mother to have you as her Son. and Fortunate are the readers who’d get to read this beautiful example and try to follow.
Things can give pleasure to the mind and senses, but only love can give pleasure to the heart. And ultimately, that is what we are looking for.” Very true! We should express our love and concern always and not postpone it for another day.
A heart touching story with deep lessons on value of relationships.
We forget our mother’s love so easily.
Really a heart touching example to realize what our loved ones value. Thanks to H.H Radhanath Swami for realizing this to us.
Make room to express your love to your family, friends and people around you when they are around! – very true. Most often we take things and people for granted and do not express our feelings. We should do it often when they are still alive, otherwise we will feel sorry after their departure for not revealing our true feelings.