I WISH YOU ENOUGH!

Recently, I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport as the daughter's departure had been announced.   Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the mother said: "I love you and I wish you enough." 

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."   They kissed and the daughter left. 

The mother walked over to the window where I sat. 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 the 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 from other generations. My parents 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 turning toward me, she shared the following, 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 the final good-bye." 

She then began to cry and walked away. 

When you look into your parent's eyes, you know that is the purest love you can find on this earth!  It is unconditional and they will always love you no matter what.  They accept all your flaws and they are the best friends you don't realize you already have since the day you were born.  You've learned the meaning of love because of them.  So when you go home tonight, give your parents a call or go see them personally and tell them how much impact they brought into your life and how much you love them!  Thank them for your life and for all of the sacrifices they've made for you.  Life is short, you'll never know when it will be their last...