I wish you enough
I received this story in an email from Robert Certain. Both in my own life and in the lives of parishioners and friends I have come to know the truth of this story--and I suspect you have, too.
--Dan 5/21/08
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. The airline 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, "Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad." 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. "Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?"
"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 a wish that has been handed down for many generations within my family. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment, 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:
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 the final 'Good-byes'.
Then he walked away.
Too often we expect our lives to be perfect - taking for granted all of the "inconveniences" that come our way.
God never promised us a perfect life. But he does promise to always be with us through our trials and tribulations. We all need to remember the bad things are as important as the blessings in life because they help to develop character and hopefully bring us closer to God. How would we appreciate joys in life without sorrow.
I WISH YOU ENOUGH!
As you prepare for Christmas and a New Year I join the author in saying, I wish you enough!
Dan
This section added May 2008
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St. Margaret's Episcopal
Church 47535 Highway 74
Palm Desert, CA 92260
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