Recently I overheard a father and daughter
in their last moments together.
They had announced her departure
and standing near the security gate,
they hugged and he said,
"I love you. 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 goodbye 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 experiencing.
"Forgive me for asking,
but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked.
"I am old
and she lives much too far away.
I have challenges ahead
and the reality is,
the next trip back
would be for my funeral," he said.
"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 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 just 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 "Goodbye."
He then began to sob and walked away.
My friends, I wish you enough!