I Wish You Enough

Recently, I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together at a regional airport. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said 

"I love you and 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 an Irish 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, 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. 

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 you enough hello's to get you
through the final "Goodbye."

He then began to sob and walked away.

My friends, I wish you enough !!!

There is no better time than now to express your love and affection to your family and friends. Tell them how much they mean to you as tomorrow maybe too late.

Author: Bob Perks