Enough…

Even on my darkest days, I strive to remember that there are many people who are in far more difficult situations than I am facing. And I am not referring to people who are thousands of miles away living in foreign countries, these people are right here in my country, my state, and my city. Some could be just down the street or even in the next building, and it is simply the grace of God that is preventing me from walking a mile in these peoples shoes.

I am blessed with more than I need and even more than I ever dreamed that I would have. And I am fortunate enough to say that I do have enough, thanks to all of the amazing people in my life who provide enough love, support, understanding, friendship and so much more that will sustain my heart, mind, and spirit throughout my journey. I want to say thank you to each and every one of you and wish you enough as well.

This is one of my favorite stories ever. I lived this with my mother, but I was unaware of what was really happening at the time. Someone sent me a version of the story not long after I made that “next” trip back.

At an airport, I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane’s departure and standing near the door, he said to his daughter, “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 goodbye 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, her 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 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.

[ Original story by Bob Perks, in Chicken Soup For the Grieving Soul ]

I wish each person who reads this enough…to find happiness and the ability to hold it in your heart for all of your days to come.