Ethereal Queen

OK, this is not my usual thing, but this was sent to me this morning and I found it strengthening. I hope you do too. Peace, Sallie

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 wishyou 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 amold 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. 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.

posted by Sallie @ 7:09 AM 0 comments

High School Reunion

I know I haven't written here in a long time - been editing and writing until my hands ached and my chair and I had a custom fit! In the midst of our long, hot summer, my husband and I went to our high school reunion in San Antonio. We graduated from high school in the Philippines in 1972 and occasionally many different years get together in various places for a party. This was the first one I ever went to and had a completely wonderful time. I met old friends, made new ones, was glad I married my high school sweet heart. We took Amtrak - and other than running perpetually 3-5 hours late, really had a great time. This is the first vacation we've taken in years and it was amazing to see that human beings that emerged as the days passed and we had more to do or talk about than work, schedules, or stressors. The last time we saw most of these people at the reunion, we were 18. As the week unfolded, we talked about our life together and I knew, once more, that I made a very good choice in the man I am spending the rest of my life with. We're certainly not the same people we were in 1972 (thank God), but the foundation of the odd events that brought us, brought an entire generation to a place so far from home, shaped us, made us strong, tore us down, built us up, and prepared us for the amazing journey that we're on. Now, back to work!
www.committedtofreedom.org

posted by Sallie @ 8:26 AM 0 comments