I wish you ENOUGH!

I got this story on my e-mail. I thought it was so touching that I would share it.

Recently I overheard a Father and Daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.

Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said "I love you and I wish you enough."

The Daughter replied "Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed and I wish you enough."

They kissed and the Daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see that he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he invited me in by asking "Did you ever say good bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have" I said "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?"

"I am old. And she lives far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral."

"When you were saying goodbye, 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 looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. "When we say '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 to me he shared the following as if reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how grey the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest joys in life appear bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy you wanting.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all you posses.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.

Then he began to cry and walked away.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person. An hour to appreciate them. And a life time to forget them.

To all my friends and loved ones...I wish you ENOUGH.