Recently, I overheard a
father & daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her
plane's departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said,
"I love you. I wish you enough."
She said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love
is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed and she
left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there, I
could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy,
but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing
it would be forever???" "Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that
brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my
Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time
to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what
this man was experiencing, "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever
goodbye," I asked.. "I am old, and she lives much too far away. I
have challenges ahead, and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my
funeral," he said..
"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say 'I wish you enough'."
"May ask what that means???" He began to smile. "That's a wish
that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it
to everyone." He paused for a moment, and looking up as if trying to remember
it in detail, he smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough', we
were wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things
to sustain them," he continued and then turning toward me, he shared the
following as if he were reciting it from memory.
"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright. I wish you enough
rain to appreciate the sun more. I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit
alive. I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much
bigger. I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting. I wish you enough loss
to appreciate all that you possess. I wish you enough "Hello's" to
get you through the final "Good-bye".
He then began to sob and walked away.
My friends and loved ones,
I wish you ENOUGH!!! Please send this to your friends and loved ones, and don't
forget to send it back to the one that sent it to you!! I wish for you...",
Comfort on difficult days, Smiles when sadness intrudes, Rainbows to follow
the clouds, Laughter to kiss your lips, Sunsets to warm your heart, Gentle hugs
when spirits sag, Friendships to brighten your being, Beauty for your eyes to
see, Confidence for when you doubt, Faith so that you can believe, Courage to
know yourself, Patience to accept the truth, And love to complete your life.
I wish you enough.