Sunday, August 21, 2005

Streaming Pink Light Just for you

I have changed the template of my blog in support of all those in our lives who have cancer. So many times when I see things like cancer occurring in the lives of people around me, I don't know what to say or even how to act, so sometimes I am only supportive by being quiet. I know that sounds funny, but I would rather say nothing than say something inane that doesn't sound sincere. I am the one to give a hug or squeeze a hand. I think that came about when my dad died. I had all these people saying things to me that sounded insincere or just going through the motions and I don't ever want to do that for someone else.
Southern Girl told Alextrex that pink streaming light was the best light to brighten your mood and pink is the color for the women's cancer movement, so here is to you and all those around you who are affected by cancer in their lives. I wish you enough.... the story of which is:


"I wish you enough!"©By Bob PerksContact Bob

I never really thought that I'd spend as much time in airports as I do. I don't know why. I always wanted to be famous and that would mean lots of travel. But I'm not famous, yet I do see more than my share of airports.
I love them and I hate them. I love them because of the people I get to watch. 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.
I have great difficulties with saying goodbye. Even as I write this I am experiencing that pounding sensation in my heart. If I am watching such a scene in a movie I am affected so much that I need to sit up and take a 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.
Watching people cling to each other, crying, and holding each other in that last embrace makes me appreciate what I have even more. Seeing them finally pull apart, extending their arms until the tips of their fingers are the last to let go, is an image that stays forefront in my mind throughout the day.
On one of my recent business trips, when I arrived at the counter to check in, the woman said, "How are you today?" I replied, "I am missing my wife already and I haven't even said goodbye."
She then looked at my ticket and began to ask, "How long will you...Oh, my God. You will only be gone three days!" We all laughed. My problem was I still had to say goodbye.
But I learn from goodbye moments, too.
Recently I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing near the security gate, they hugged and he said, "I love you. I wish you enough." She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy."
They kissed and she left. He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried 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 of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me. Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face 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.
"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality 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."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," he continued and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he 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 enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."
He then began to sob and walked away.
My friends, I wish you enough!

3 comments:

Bennu said...

I don't know where the word id came from, but I am glad it is there. Check your settings for your blog. I was messing with mine this morning because I was trying to figure out how to get the clock from D.K.'s blog

d.K. said...

Beautiful post. Cancer is one of those things that pops up in all of our lives to mess things up. I have a hard time knowing what to say too. Sometimes, the quiet approach is the best.

Also, Whirlwind, you go into settings, then click on comments. There is a new option for word verification. Simply click yes. (The default is no, so you must change it.) dK

Anonymous said...

B

having trouble with yahoo. sent email to you re template. just want to tell you how much it meant to see it. I know SG will be touched when she gets online.

A