After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. I started to go out with another woman. It was really my wifes idea.
I know that you love her, she said one day, taking me by surprise. But I love YOU, I protested. I know, but you also love her.
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. Whats 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 pass some time with you, I responded. Just the two of us. She thought about it for a moment, 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 radiant1 as an angels. 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 cant wait to hear about our meeting.
We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant2, was very nice and cozy3. 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 its time that you relax and let me return the favor, I responded.
During the dinner we had an agreeable4 conversation nothing extraordinary but catching5 up on recent events of each others life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, Ill 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 massive6 heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didnt have a chance to do anything for her. 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.
我和生命中另一个女性的约会结婚21年后，我发现了维持爱之火花的一种新办法。我开始与另一个女性出去约会。其实这还是我老婆的主意呢。
我了解你爱她，有一天她对我说，这令我感到惊奇。但我也爱你，我声明。我了解，不过，你也爱她。
我老婆想让我去拜访的另一个女性就是我的母亲，她守寡19年了，但因为我的工作需要与有三个孩子要抚养，我极少有机会去看望她。那天晚上，我打电话约她吃饭看电影。出啥事了？你还好吧？她问。我母亲是那种觉得深夜电话或出其不意的邀请代表坏消息预兆的女性。我感觉与你共度一段时间将是一件愉快的事，我如此回答。就大家两个人。她想了一想，便说：其实我非常想如此。
于是周五下班后，我开车去接她。我有点儿不安。到了她的住所，我注意到，她对大家的约会仿佛也有的紧张。她穿着外套在门口等我。她将头发盘了起来，并且穿着最后一次结婚纪念日那天穿的套装，天使般容光焕发的脸上携带笑容。我告诉朋友们我要跟儿子出去约会，他们都非常感动，上车时她对我说。他们急迫地想知道大家约会的状况。
大家去了一家虽然不是一流却非常高雅舒适的餐馆。母亲挽着我的手臂，宛如第一夫人。大家坐下后，我开始看菜单。她的双眼目前只能看清一些大字。透过条目的缝隙，我抬眼看到母亲正坐在那儿盯着我，嘴上携带怀旧的笑容。你小的时候，都是我看菜单，她说。目前轮到你休息了，该我回报你了，我答道。
吃饭的时候，大家谈得非常愉快也没什么特别的事只不过简单描述一下彼此日常近期发生的事。大家谈得太尽兴以至错过了看电影。当我送她回到家时，她说：我会再跟你出去约会，但需要是我邀请你。我赞同了。
饭吃得如何啊？回到家时我老婆问。很好。比我想象中要好得多。我回答。
几天后，母亲因为紧急的心脏病发作过世了。发生的这样忽然以至我没机会为她做任何事。那一刻，我了解了准时说出我爱你与给予大家所爱的人他们应该得到的时间的重要程度。生命中没什么比你的家庭更要紧。多花些时间陪陪你的家人，
