"I Wish You Enough!"

December 26, 2007 03:59 PM EST

views: 204 | comments: 30

This one made me cry.

"I Wish You Enough"

by Bob Perks @ www.bobperks.com

Inever really thought that I'd spend as much time in airports as I do. Idon't know why. I always wanted to be famous and that would mean lotsof travel. But I'm not famous, yet I do see more than my share ofairports.

Ilove them and I hate them. I love them because of the people I get towatch. But they are also the same reason why I hate airports. It all comes down to "hello" and "goodbye." I must have mentioned this a few times while writing my stories for you.

Ihave great difficulties with saying goodbye. Even as I write this I amexperiencing that pounding sensation in my heart. If I am watching sucha scene in a movie I am affected so much that I need to sit up and takea 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 figure nothing that is happening to me at the time could be as bad as having to say goodbye.

Watchingpeople cling to each other, crying, and holding each other in that lastembrace makes me appreciate what I have even more. Seeingthem finally pull apart, extending their arms until the tips of theirfingers are the last to let go, is an image that stays forefront in mymind throughout the day.

Onone of my recent business trips, when I arrived at the counter to checkin, the woman said, "How are you today?" I replied, "I am missing mywife already and I haven't even said goodbye."

Shethen looked at my ticket and began to ask, "How long will you...Oh, myGod. You will only be gone three days!" We all laughed. My problem wasI still had to say goodbye.

But I learn from goodbye moments, too.

RecentlyI overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. Theyhad announced her departure and standing near the security gate, theyhugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough."

Shein turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Yourlove is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." Theykissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I wasseated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry.

Itried 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 ofexpressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me.Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell himface to face how much he meant to me.

So I knew what this man experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked.

"Iam old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and thereality 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 down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."

He paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

"Whenwe said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have alife filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continuedand then turning toward me he shared the following as if he werereciting 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 "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

He then began to sob and walked away.

My friends, I wish you enough! by Bob Perks

Bob Perks is a motivational speaker, writer and one very special positive person. Take a moment to visit his web site @ http://www.bobperks.com I know you'll be glad you did...I was!