I Pray You Enough

A couple of months ago, my mother in law sent me this email.  It’s beauty has lingered ever since…

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 pray you enough.”

The daughter replied, “Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I pray 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?”
 
“Well...I'm not as young as I once was, she lives so far away & has her own busy life. I have some challenges ahead, and the reality is - her next trip back will be for my funeral,” she said.
 
When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, “I pray you enough.” May I ask what that means?
 
She began to smile. “That's a prayer 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 pray you enough,' we wanted 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 pray you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I pray you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I pray you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I pray you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys may appear bigger.

I pray you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I pray you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I pray you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Then, she began to cry, and walked away.

This prayer is about wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.  I couldn’t think of a more fitting prayer for my mother in law on her birthday.   

Happy Birthday, Grandma! 

We love you and WE PRAY YOU ENOUGH…

Celebrating with her 3 adoring granddaughters.