Recently I overheard a father and daughter in
their last moments together. They had announced her 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 good-bye
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 good-bye?" I asked.
"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and
the reality is, the next trip back would be for my funeral" he said.
"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, "I wish you enough."
May I 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 just 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 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!
Author Unknown