But most of all, I wish her love.

November 29, 2011 5:22 PM

Long-shot-arama: 13 years ago, I read a poem at my daughter's christening and then promptly lost the piece of paper I'd read it from. It was all about the things I wished she would have in her life, and I'm 98% sure it ended with "but most of all, I wish you love". Ring any bells?

I have no idea where I got it in the first place: it may have been the internet, but it was more likely a library book or church newsletter or something. I read it from a photocopy of a typed page.

I'm pretty sure it was more prose than your standard rhyming poem. I think it mentioned joy and laughter and smiles, amongst other un-remembered things.

I was in an emotionally-wrecked place at the time, and it was a very traumatic day for a whole host of reasons - I barely remember it, other than I sobbed dramatically all the way through because she smiled gloriously at me as I started to read it.

I would dearly love to find it again but google hasn't helped me.

posted by malibustacey9999 to grab bag (14 answers total)

Long shot, but any chance it was Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You"? This part in particular:

I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
posted by runningwithscissors at 5:27 PM on November 29, 2011 [3 favorites]

Other than the "breaking heart" part, could it have been drawn from this song? Background here.
posted by argonauta at 5:28 PM on November 29, 2011

Maybe this?
posted by 4ster at 5:29 PM on November 29, 2011

This?
posted by Trivia Newton John at 5:39 PM on November 29, 2011

Another long shot - but could it be something from More I Cannot Wish You?
posted by lovedbymarylane at 5:57 PM on November 29, 2011

Thanks for all suggestions, but they weren't song lyrics. It was much more a free-form prose type thing.

I've googled the bejesus out of it, and no lyrics come close to what I (very vaguely) remember.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 6:01 PM on November 29, 2011

This Victor Hugo poem, maybe?
posted by argonauta at 6:29 PM on November 29, 2011

This doesn't end right, but it's one of those poems that gets read or sung at christenings and suchlike, and it at least has "joy" in it.
posted by lollusc at 6:56 PM on November 29, 2011

"These Special Wishes" by Linda Sackett-Morrison?

When you close your eyes at the end of each day, I wish you contented and peaceful sleep.
When you are fearful or uncertain, I wish for warmth and light to surround you.
When you dream, I wish you soaring images and endless possibilities.
When you wake each morning, I wish you the joy of anticipating a beautiful day ahead.
When you face problems, I wish you boundless strength and courage to guide you.
When you walk along your path, I wish you lasting friendships to brighten your way.
Most of all, I wish you love...to fill your heart and make your world complete."
posted by runningwithscissors at 7:05 PM on November 29, 2011 [7 favorites]

Well, this is a poem but not a strict rhyme, still it's probably a long shot because the copyright seems too new.

There's also this poem that sounds a bit more like what you're talking about, but even newer.
posted by forthright at 7:49 PM on November 29, 2011

Another song, probably not right but . . .

Dolly Parton I Will Always Love You Lyrics


If I should stay
Well, I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I have, and all Im taking with me
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
Cause we both know that Im not
What you need
I will always love you
I will always love you
And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you, I will always love

I, I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
posted by bluesky78987 at 9:39 PM on November 29, 2011

Born Yesterday -by Philip Larkin ? Not schmaltzy at all, but a lovely poem.Will find link.
posted by hitchcockblonde at 12:05 AM on November 30, 2011

"I wish you enough" by Bob Perks?
posted by 6550 at 12:29 AM on November 30, 2011

That's still not quite the piece, lollusc, but it's the closest.

And thank you all. I will draw from this when I have grandchildren or friends with new children or new grandchildren. I like to send a handwritten note rather than a standard Hallmark card, and you have given me much inspiration.
posted by malibustacey9999 at 3:12 AM on December 19, 2011