I read something recently that touched my heart and hit home. It brought back memories of a very similar circumstance. Although it is very private, I repeat it only because it may be helpful to some people at some time in their lives. Perhaps after reading it, you will understand what I mean. Here’s the story ….
At an airport one day a gentleman overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together before her departure on a flight. Standing near the door 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 good-bye and she left. He walked over toward the window and stood there, watching her leave and looking as if he needed to cry.
The other gentleman did not wish to intrude but wondered what that meant. The father seemed to welcome the other man into his thoughts by asking him, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” Then the father continued, “I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead of me and her next trip back will be for my funeral.”
The gentleman couldn’t help but ask, “I heard you say “I wish you enough”. May I ask what that meant?” The father smiled and explained, “It’s a wish that has been handed down in our family for generations.” He paused a moment and remembered it in detail … smiling. “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 reciting 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 even 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 ‘Hellos’ to get you through the final ‘Good-bye’.”
Nearly 35 years ago, my father and I took my cousin and her third child, then an infant, to the airport to catch her flight home to Virginia. I vividly remember what a quiet and sad trip that was for all of us. My cousin had just said good-bye to her mother, knowing that her next visit to West Virginia would be for her funeral. My dad and I both fought tears to and from the airport, our hearts aching for her. There were NO words of comfort that seemed appropriate to offer at such a time.
Years later, I had to face letting go of my father. I knew it was inevitable and there were things I so wanted to say to him, but I just wasn’t strong enough to verbalize them without falling apart. I have regrets about that to this day, but our relationship was such a close one, I’m sure he understood. And if the situation had been reversed, he couldn’t have said the words to me either.
After reading “I wish you enough”, I thought it was such a wonderful gift to pass down from generation to generation. It kind of says it all, doesn’t it? It is appropriate at any stage of life, and if everyone in the family is familiar with its meaning, it makes saying a final good-bye a little easier. Just say “I wish you enough” and “enough” is enough.
If it touched your heart too, save it and share it with those you love. If not, just toss it away. Either way, my friends, I wish all of you “enough”!
Quote of the Week: “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day – unseen, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.” ~ Anonymous
