I WISH YOU ENOUGH!!!

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 in turn 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 will 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 "Hellos" to get you through the final "Good-byes."

He then began to sob and walked away.

I wish you enough...

- Author Unknown

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