A Daughter's Perspective
©copyright 2009 Bonita M Quesinberry
"Her prognosis is not good," was the doctor's pessimism,
as he thought about the fact Mom did lay—
on her sofa— alone for five long days.
"Statistically, no one survives this brain aneurysm."
Vile words I did not want to hear, but I chose to be upbeat,
"And, if she does come through this fatal dread?"
"Might be comatose forever;" he said,
"or if she awakes, then paralyzed and unable to speak."
Mom's sixty-one years came to mind: a thirty-foot fall at six,
then ailments like stars in God's firmament:
some temporary but more permanent.
Yet, her life had been like a candle with a forever wick.
Her words echoed through Lupus, MS, cancer, her heart's delay,
her first answer when death was projected;
for by just One would she be protected—
"Not man; only God will determine the number of my days."
I recall her doctors saying, "Won't live to see your kids grown."
Then, more maladies came along her way.
Like that Energizer bunny, each day—
she would not stop or give up and refuses to moan and groan.
I remembered then what else Mom had said, "In the meantime, I—
shall go on living and do without fuss."
I choked, not now! Though years back she warned us.
Had the light from her wick reached its limit, that now she would die?
We waited— time stood still, my mind hating this long sur'gry day.
I'm not. . . NOT! I'm not as prepared as thought.
Dear God, let Satan's hand upon her ROT!
I need her! She doesn't side, words wise, honest, unbiased ways.
Doc led us to Mom's room on the hope a miracle we'd see,
"I'm to tell you there was a barroom fight;
she won, her black eye the only bad sight."
I laughed, "Yep, that's Mom; laughs when hurt. With her, humor's a must be!"
"Do you know what a miracle you are?" Doc later asked Mom.
Yes, she does! So do her kids— ONLY GOD!
Author notes
I am a Mother and a mother figure for several A/P surrogate daughter Poets 
TSaS -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/truthseekersandspeakers
The day will come when it will appear I have lost the battle; but, I guarantee it will not be until God says I've had enough and He gives me rest. My health issues are many and I do grow weary, but battle I shall continue to do; for I do so by God's strength, not mine which is nil. 
Nonetheless, my kids know that when it is my time to go, I will not be dead: I'll merely be sleeping until Jesus calls my name and, when I rise, it will seem as though I slept only overnight-- the Bible tells me so.
Many a parent often wonders if they have done a good job of parenting, and I was no different. I chose to write this poem, about one of the many times I have faced death, from Maria's perspective, my daughter being the one in the white tank top next to my foster granddaughter in the red T-shirt, who told me these things during recovery. She did this mother's heart good for, despite the many parenting mistakes I made while my kids were growing up, she revealed that I must have done a few things right.
I was outside just placing my paint brush onto the trim of a bench I had built. Down I went to the deck as I said aloud, "YOU won't win this round either, Satan! Father! He is after me again!" I tried to get up twice and could not. "Father, you're going to have to help me get into the house." And, because I was in a place where no one would have seen me, He did. Now, I thought I was having some sort of weird migraine, albeit terribly different from the usual.
There were many miracles performed just on that day, then over the next four as I lay on the sofa. It would take too long to count the number of times Satan has attempted to kill me, beginning at age six, and throughout my life. It is with great delight that I can laugh in his face everytime he tries, then sic God on him, and I even get to kick him in the teeth from time to time, too! I live, I breathe, I walk and I talk, and I'm still independent; for by the grace of God and only God go I. No doctor can tell me the number of my days, nor can a doctor tell me that something is going to kill me: this is ALL one vast illusion, so I keep my eyes on God's reality.
Aside from finding humor in every event in my life, which we all know that laughter is medicine to the bones, I also choose not to focus on the things wrong with the body in which I reside; preferring instead to dwell on the good while keeping my eyes on the prize at the end of my journey. . . whenever that might be. Only God can tell me when my day is done.
In a list
- Testimonies • next in list
- A God of Miracles • next in list
- Trophies of GREEN • next in list
- Trophies of SILVER • next in list
A contest entry
- Prayers for a Miracle with islekine and Starz of Heaven by aboomer.
700 points, ended January 24, 29 entries
Honorable mention
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - poems for Lisa my mom who bravely fought cancer for 23 years and lost that battle on November 26,2008 by Irisheyes35.
400 points, ended February 5, 4 entries
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Looking for AP family. High Rewards. by darkhawk.
1150 points, ended August 22, 6 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Sometimes only Daughters can tell Mothers that they've done a good job.
Comments
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Oh this is simply gorgeous =]
Truly stunning.
The story of such a beautiful mother refusing to give in no matter what life through at her.
Great write
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a good poem, ah this makes me think of my own mother, she has been ill with arthritis for over forty years now, it is her seventy third birthday at the end of this month, and takes more tablets for many other ailments added now that i am sure she rattles when she walks. i never hear her complaining though.
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Doctors have been telling me since age 6 that I should be dead. I laugh at them and do things God's way; for He is the Great Physician. Nearly every pill I take are natural herbs, or I would have not lived to have seen my children grown muchless been around to see grandchildren and my first great grandchild: I'm now 65yo. God has consistently defied the Doctors. Thank you for sharing your sentiments about your mother with me!
Love in Christ, BonnieQ
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amazing
Wow...
This was amazing. It was simply inspiring to me, and words cant express how thankful I am to have known someone as dedicated to our Father.
Not only did this poem touch me, but the authors note afterwards really hit bottom.
You're not only a living miracle, but a literary genius as well.
Thank you so much for entering!
Good luck in the contest!
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I am awed by your words. My mom was an amazing woman. I wrote two poems for her that she was able to read when she was fighting her battle. there are on my page. I'm just trying to do a dedication poem. Thanks for your entry. Good luck.
Brooke -
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Thank you, dear Brooke. I felt you might better identify with my daughter's perspective back when she got the shocking call and drove like a demon from Portland to Seattle, where I was in Harborview Hospital. There are so many things wrong with this pitiful body I wear, so my kids had been warned long ago that I could go anytime.
As Maria told me, she thought she was prepared but realized she was not. And, even knowing what you already knew, neither were you prepared. None of us are ever ready to lose a loved one. I share God's Word with you:
"Why do you weep o'er your departed loved one? Do you not know, I have spared your beloved from the terrors of these end days?" This is Old Testament words of prophecy concerning those we lose in these end days. And, Jesus told us, "She is not dead. She only sleeps."
I'm here for you if you need me, Brooke.
Much love, hugs, & prayers, BonnieQ 
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I am deeply touched by your words. Mere words on my part can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me.
best wishes and blessings to you - always.
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Such a powerful testimonial for God. You have had so many terrible things happen in your life and came through them all intact and ready to tell the world the good news of faith. I am always blessed to read all your work. And, this is no acception. Rather, this is a paramount example.
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Oh, darling Ed, I am so happy when my experiences bless someone else. That's what faith is all about. Thank you so much for all your encouragement, too! There are some days when I really need it, especially when Satan is being particularly vicious, as we know he can. BUT! He's a loser, always has been since the beginning.
Luv & hugs, SisBon
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Amen and Amen
Let the whole world know that He still sits on the throne, and your faith that He will heal you has been incredible, healing is a wonderful gift I have come to know, satan tries to trip us all up with something, it has been a personal war lately myself, even my grandson who is only 3 has been in a car accident twice, and just the other day had to get glue to his forhead, instead of stitches, and that was hours after being with me for the day, and the fact he mentions angels and Jesus and loves to wear ties. Keep telling your story dear elder and sis in Christ. Blessings.
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Amen, dearest Denise. I recall the day that aneurysm hit me. I was outside just placing my paint brush onto the trim of a bench I had built. Down I went to the deck as I said aloud, "YOU won't win this round either, Satan! Father! He is after me again!"
I tried to get up twice and could not. "Father, you're going to have to help me get into the house." And, because I was in a place where no one would have seen me, He did. Now, I thought I was having some sort of weird migrain, albeit terribly different from the usual.
There were many miracles performed just on that day, then over the next four as I lay on the sofa.
GOD IS GOOD! Luv & hugs, SisBon
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Bravo!
Yes, miracles happen every day & only He knows what He has in store for all of us! You have an amazing testimony & I can say that we share many things in common & that Satan started trying to kill me starting at the age of 2! He only gives us as much as we can utilize to grow & never leaves or forsakes us! Thanks for this inspiring write. Keep kicking Satan in those teeth of his!
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Miracles and more miracles. If you are like me, dearest one, we had to quite counting because they came faster than we had finger and toes! God IS good and He's never forsaken me, even back in the days when I strayed. Yes, the prodigal daughter and He welcomed her back home with open arms.
Thank you so much for sharing and caring and for the encouragement! And, you keep kicking Satan in the teeth, too! Job well done.
Luv & hugs, Bon
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Precious Sis...
You are so encouraging and I needed that so much today!
Thank you so very much for being you!
Loves,
Annette
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