show your love before it's too late...

Source: Sheikh Khalid Yasin Facebook status

"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 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.”

May Allah (SWT) bless our mothers and fathers, Ameen!

ps: i immediately called my mom after reading this. if i haven't mentioned before, i'm the type of person that rarely call or text another. i'll only do it if it's really important. i'm also ashamed to admit that i'm not the type of daughter that call her parents frequently. it's usually my parents, my mother most of the time that call me. if they didn't call me, maybe i only call them once every two weeks.

reading this article also made me realize that our parents are not always gonna be around. sooner or later, they will have to go. maybe, if we are lucky, we left them first. we always heard the phrase that children should not die before their parents do. it's just not the way to go. but 'ajal' is in the hand of Allah. it's not for us to choose who will die first.

all these times, i always hope that i'll be in the situation where i die before my parents do. reason, i couldn't bear the feeling of losing them. at least, if i die first my parents would still have four other children to accompany them. four who are much better and much greater than me. then again. it's all already written on the 'luh mahfuz.' we couldn't change it.

seeing that i'm the youngest child and that i'm already 30 years old, it would only be logic that my parents are old. my mom is 68 years old while my dad is one year younger. i could see that they're not strong and agile as they used to be. every night, before sleep, i think about what my life would be without my parents to advise me, to listen to my babbling, to help me when i needed help, to scold me when i'm in the wrong, to console me when i'm sad, to praise me when i deserved it and many more. still at the age of 30, i still depend on my parents like when i was three with on a slight different. they don't have to change my nappy, hehe...

i know i'm not a good child and further from being perfect. i fight with my parents, i ignore and heed their advices, to sum it up i drive them crazy! still, i'm hoping that in their eyes, they're proud of me with all my flaws and all. so mak and abah, if by any chances you guys come to read this, know that i love you both with all my heart eventhough most of the time my actions and words contradict it all. i brought both of you to a life roller coaster ride especially ever since i've been diagnosised with bipolar, the most challenging episode in my life. honest be told, wihout your support i don;t think i'm where i'm now. you both are my pillars and my rocks! love you so very much and sorry for everything as well...