Wish You Enough

[Bernice]

　　 I never really thought that I'd spend as much time in airports as I
do.

　　I don't know why. I always wanted to be famous and that would mean
lots of travel. But I'm not famous, even though I do see more than my
share of airports.

　　I love them and I hate them. I love them because of the people I get
to watch. But they are also the same reason why I hate airports. It
all comes down to1 “ hello” and “ goodbye.”

　　I have great difficulties with saying goodbye. Even as I write this,
I am experiencing that pounding sensation2 in my heart. If I am
watching such a scene in a movie, I am affected so much that I need to
sit up3 and take a few deep breaths.

　　So, when faced with a challenge in my life, I have been known to go
to our local airport and watch people say goodbye. I figure4 nothing
that is happening to5 me at the time could be as bad as having to say
goodbye. Watching people cling to6 each other, crying, and holding
each other in that last embrace makes me appreciate what I have even
more. Seeing them finally pull apart, extending their arms until the
tips of their fingers are the last to let go, is an image that stays
forefront7 in my mind throughout the day.

　　But I learn from goodbye moments, too.

　　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 was 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 down8 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 sustain9
them," he continued. Then, turning toward me, he shared the following
as if he were reciting10 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 hellos to get you through the final goodbye.”

　　He then began to sob and walked away.

　　My friends, I wish you enough!