英语美文欣赏－Wish You Enough

Wish You Enough

　　 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, even though 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 to1 “ hello” and “ goodbye.”

　　I have great difficulties with saying goodbye. Even as I write this, I am experiencing that pounding sensation2 in my heart. If I am watching such a scene in a movie, I am affected¹ so much that I need to sit up3 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 figure4 nothing that is happening to5 me at the time could be as bad as having to say goodbye. Watching people cling² to6 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 forefront7 in my mind throughout the day.

　　But I learn from goodbye moments, too.

　　Recently, I overheard³ a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her departure and standing⁴ 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 intrude⁵ on his privacy⁶, 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 appreciation⁷ 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 was 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 down8 from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone.”

　　He paused for a moment and looked 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 sustain9 them," he continued. Then, turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting10 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 hellos to get you through the final goodbye.”

　　He then began to sob⁸ and walked away.

　　My friends, I wish you enough!

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 cling   

vi.缠住，粘住，依恋，依靠，坚信，坚持

参考例句：

• Wet clothes cling to the body.湿衣服贴身。
• Members of a family should cling together in times of trouble.一家人应该患难与共。

3 overheard   

adj. 串音的, 偶而听到的 动词overhear的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• We talked quietly so as not to be overheard. 我们低声交谈，以免别人听到。
• I told Lucy the news under my breath, but Joyce overheard me. 我低声地把这个消息告诉露西，可还是被乔伊斯听到了。

4 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

5 intrude   

vi.闯入；侵入；打扰，侵扰

参考例句：

• I do not want to intrude if you are busy.如果你忙我就不打扰你了。
• I don't want to intrude on your meeting.我不想打扰你们的会议。

6 privacy   

n.私人权利，个人自由，隐私权

参考例句：

• In such matters,privacy is impossible.在这类事情中，保密是不可能的。
• She wept in the privacy of her own room.她在自己房内暗暗落泪。

7 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

8 sob   

n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣

参考例句：

• The child started to sob when he couldn't find his mother.孩子因找不到他妈妈哭了起来。
• The girl didn't answer,but continued to sob with her head on the table.那个女孩不回答，也不抬起头来。她只顾低声哭着。