I Wish You Enough!

My pastor and friend Bill Etheridge wrote a small column in our Cornerstone this week and it inspired me to share it with you. I have included a copy of the story he shared because I think that it is a great way to start off a new year.

What is enough?

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. 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 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 goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?” "Yes, I have," I replied. "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever goodbye?” "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 goodbye, 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 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 the final good-bye. She then began to cry and walked away.

After I read this story I thought about all the times I have hugged a child goodbye, or my parents, and just assumed that I would see them again shortly....but will I? I am not guaranteed any time on this earth and I have had a good life to date. I always tell my loved ones I love them....because it might be the last time....but I think from now on I am going to wish them enough too. My dear friend Rhonda and her nephew Andy and their family experienced this on Jan. 2nd. I am sure when they told Mrs. Jean goodbye the last time they were with her....they had no clue....that it would truly be the last time.....ever. At the hospital Rita asked Rhonda if there was anything the three of us, Blue, Rita, and myself, could do for her.....her very heart wrenching response was, "bring my momma back." I felt my heart squeeze. I would have moved heaven and earth if I could have at that moment to do just that for them....but....somehow I know....that Mrs. Jean prepared them all with enough. She was that kind of woman. She never left you unloved, unhugged, or unpraised. She was something else....so as the new year begins....I wish you enough in 2009. God bless you all!