I WISH YOU ENOUGH

A FORWARD EMAIL FROM A FRIEND IN LUXEMBOURG ( Patrick Nestler )

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 good-bye 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.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an

hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an

entire life to forget them.

Send this to the people you will never forget and remember

to send it back to the person who sent it to you.

If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in

such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends and loved ones.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE.....