A SHORT STORY FOR REALIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY:

Give time to our family


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 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 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.”

Think About it.......

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be – a roommate, a neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a complete stranger – but when you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.
Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are sometimes the most important ones.
If someone loves you, give love back to them in whatever way you can, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.
If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious to whom you open your heart.
Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and listen to what they have to say.
Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.
You can make anything you wish of your life. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.
And if you love someone tell them, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.
Learn a lesson in life each day that you live!
Today is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday.
Think About it? Was it worth it?

HOW TO UNDERSTAND YOUR IMPORTANCE IN LIFE

· Think about the effect of your actions on other people:-

 Many people have done selfless deeds, and didn't even notice. But little do they know, the receiver of your kind actions is probably very thankful. Like if you offered your unfinished bagel to someone in a restaurant, and paid no mind to it. They could've been having financial difficulties, and weren't able to afford food the day of their job application. Your kindness could've put them in a good mood, and allowed them to get the job. But if you weren't alive, they probably would've failed to get the job, and would still be in difficult times now. You perform countless kind actions everyday without even knowing, and your actions greatly impact others.

· Understand the impact you've made on the world:-

 In your mind, you may be just another face in the crowd. Another pair of hands, another imperfect human. But this is wrong. Your attitude defines everything about you, and all attitudes are contagious. Consider changing attitudes if yours isn't where it should be.

• Have a good attitude. If you simply smile to everyone you see, they are much more likely to have a good day, and so are you. The simple act of smiling makes you happy, and your mood will spread to others.
• Don't spread your bad attitudes. When you're having a bad day, and just can't seem to snap out of your funk, don't let others know. Try your hardest to show others a smile throughout your day. This will make them happier, and after smiling to so many people, you'll probably be happy too. If you frown at everyone you see, your vibe will rub off on them, and they'll all have bad days too.

·  Know what you are capable of :-

 

Understand that if you really try, you can accomplish anything you'd like to do. If you truly believe in something enough, and continually make an effort to stand up for your beliefs, you will make a difference in the world. Almost all famous people you've heard of have made huge differences in the world, most for the better. And many people you haven't heard of have made differences that affect your life to this day. Such as Rosalind Franklin. If it weren't for this unknown woman, we wouldn't know what DNA looks like. If she decided that she didn't make a difference in the world, we still probably wouldn't know.

· Make an effort to help others:-

Try extremely hard to help people for one week. (Even though you really should be doing it all the time.) This means helping old ladies cross the street, carrying groceries to people's cars, and picking up things people have dropped. Once one week has passed, think about what would've happened if you hadn't been alive. That woman may be at the doctor for Arthritis because no one helped her cross the street, and she fell. That man could've dropped his groceries, having no one to help him carry them, and wasn't able to afford more food for his family that week. That kid could've dropped his mother's credit card, and since no one informed him that he'd dropped it, he lost it forever. Be aware of what your actions have done to these people.

· Know that you are different from everyone else :-  

Sure, you may be just a human. But don't let that be an excuse. You're unique, and that's what makes you you. Think of yourself as a puzzle piece; a necessity to complete the puzzle, but no one can fill in your place. If you weren't gracing this Earth with your wonderful abilities, that piece of the puzzle would be missing for all eternity, because only you can fill it in.