I WISH YOU ENOUGH
This story was adapted from one I received in an email long ago. The original source is unknown.
Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport.
The daughter’s flight had been called for boarding. Standing near the security gate they hugged, and the mother said, "I love you and I wish you enough." The daughter replied, "Mum, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough too, Mum. They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry.
I tried not to intrude on her privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" “Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?” "I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is her next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said. “When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?"
She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down through the generations. My parents, and their parents before them, used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she 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".
Then she turned toward me and shared the following as if she 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 hellos to get you through all the forever good-byes.
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2020 has been a tough year, anything but normal. There has been humongous change, loss at every level, including far too many forever good-byes. On one hand it feels like 2021 is arriving too soon. On the other, it feels that this year has lasted 5 years and 2021 cannot get here soon enough. I found a quote on a mug this holiday season that I want to share. “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means you’ve decided to see beyond the imperfections.” I choose to be happy - to look beyond the many imperfections of 2020 to all the hope that 2021 holds out for us. I hope you do, too.
Live life without regret. Spend your 168 hours each week doing the things that only you can do – the things that are really important to you. Spend more time with the people you love. (And tell them you love them, too.) Do activities to help improve your health and fitness and spiritual life. Engage in activities that give joy to others (and see how much you benefit, too). Laugh out loud. Express your creativity. Play a game. Take a friend to lunch (even if it is still virtually for a while). Donate your time to a worthy charity. Be a blessing.
I wish you enough in 2021. May it be a healthy, happy, and joy filled year.
To stay safe and be well, continue to be physically distanced but socially connected.
Happy New Year!
Gratefully,
Luana