Song from Secret Garden
On this night...
I took my mother out to dinner at the Olive Garden...
and we then went to see a movie at an IMAX complex.
It was opening night for the movie 'Born In China'.
It was a documentary on select animals in China.
There were some beautiful scenic shots of different parts of China
where the Panda, the Golden Monkey, and the Snow Leopard live.
It depicted the life of select animals and their lives over more than a one year span.
My mother loves animals...
so, she enjoyed this movie.
We had just been seated at the Olive Garden.
Their soup is excellent.
We then enjoyed a plate of Chicken Parmesan, Lasagna, and Fettuccine Alfredo.
We departed the restaurant and drove to the movie theater just a short distance away.
Each seat was assigned
(I had bought the tickets online the night before)...
and each is an electric recliner.
It was almost 10:30 PM when we departed the theater.
Although my mother has an excellent 80" TV at home...
I wanted to get her out of the house for a night out.
She enjoyed herself...
and that is what is important.
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My mother will be 80 years old in less than two years.
Time is limited...
and death waits for us all.
To have regrets at a loved ones funeral means you had realized
you should have spent more time with them.
The time to show them your caring is while they are still alive.
A funeral should be a time of missing them...
but of having no regrets on your part for not having been with them more.
When you have no regrets for things not said or done when they mattered...
allows just the good memories to fill your mind.
And...
having had lived their lives well...
allows people to die well.
Near the end...
I am sure...
it is the amount of magical memories shared with others which fill the mind...
and which gives life so much of its meaning...
and, which dictates the depth of peace before the final slumber.
Give your children plentiful amounts of affection...
lots of hugs and kisses...
and spend meaningful amounts of quality time with your parents.
The people around you are mirrors of your soul.
How you treat them...
is a reflection of who you really are.
We've had some reminders lately of time marching on. You are doing a great job of showing your mother your love while she is alive, and helping her to feel that she lived well.
ReplyDeleteIn general, my mother is happy. When she first moved here, I had asked her what would make her the most happy. The first thing on her list was for her to have a dream home to live in. So, instead of having her rent, we found her present home. She loves her home. I also let her know that I would be having her trying new adventures in life. As a result, she knows new happiness she never thought possible. She used to sit inside and watch TV all day and night. Now she loves to just go for a drive in the mountains or to the lakes...and trying new restaurants :)
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