Tuesday 17 July 2007

Taking Leave!




My Australian daughter sent this to me, for this happens all the time when we take leave of each other at the airport.

I recently thought of you when I read this, I hope all is going well, that you are doing well, and things are going your
way.

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 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 as if she were reciting it from memory.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.

I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear 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.

2 comments:

Paulahal said...

Dear WIl
i read your beautiful words then broke down. My 22 year old daughter is off to Japan next Saturday for several years to teach. SHe has such an adventurous spirit that I know she will travel for many many years and my heart is breaking. She has been away before for 3-4 months but never for such an extended period. I know she will be good for keeping in touch but I find it so hard to know that she will nto be living with me in our family home again for a very long time. I am so upset at the thought of not being able to hug her and listen to her stories and see her beautiful smile. Have you any advice for me about how to cope with this wrench. I do not want her to remember me with tears on my face but thats all I can do at the moment. We have a very special close relationship and I am also afraid that distance will dim this. Sorry for being so emotional. I really would value any tips. Thank you I hope you are having a good day.

Paula Halpin Dublin Ireland

Reader Wil said...

Dear Phalpin! I can understand that you will miss her. Ask her to ring you at least twice a week, email you and send you photos as often as possible. When you send her off, take some of her friends or relatives to the airport and have a nice meal together. Take plenty of time to look around. We have to say farewell sometimes and we have to let our children become independent, that's the purpose of life. I am so glad that my children can stand now on their own two feet. They don't really need me anymore, but of course we exchange advise if asked for.
She may see your tears, but there is plenty of time to cry at home.
Maybe you can go to Japan for a holiday? Isn't that something to look forward too? Please keep me informed. My e-mail is wil.francois@gmail.com