Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said I love you and I wish you enough
The daughter replied, Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?
Yes, I have, I replied. Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever goodbye? I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is -- the next trip back will be for my funeral she said.
When you were saying goodbye, I heard you say I wish you enough. May I ask what that means? She began to smile Thats a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.
She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she 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.
Then turning toward me she shared the following as if she 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 hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
She then began to cry and walked away. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.