Young and Strong

Young and Strong She was young, she was strong Working cleaning all the day long So much to do, but she carried that load So concerned about everyone, at Kenmore road. Then we moved, to Strandfontein we came A new challenge for her, her commitment the same So proud of her house, her castle her own She decided to go work, had to pay a loan No high education, no professional post Just a menial job, but she worked better than most Then she took ill, an anxiety attack The work, the people, she was taking too much flak Leave out the details all too sordid In her best interest, she had to be boarded Came two thousand and ten so significant Shocking a lump in her breast, malignant Here the genesis of a prolonged and fiery trial She bravely faced the truth, never in denial Chemo, radiotherapy, side effects and all My health, my life I want it back was her call Then they punctured her lung, a mistake they say Whilst inserting the port, they went the wrong way Ten days in hospital, a new trial began She could have died, but it was not in God’s plan The pain the suffering the trauma, she endured She trusted, believed that ultimately she was cured Two thousand and thirteen, an “annus horribilis” The diagnosis so devastating, so preposterous The cancer had spread of this they were sure The back, the sternum the liver all needed a cure Chemo, radiotherapy and pain she did it all once again Then that fateful day in June, she had to take it The treatment had failed, she wouldn’t make it She had three months to live and yet so much to give Anguish and pain all etched on her face She stood firm and declared I’ll finish this race If it is God’s will she was ready, we heard her say Her petition, please Lord no suffering, hasten the day Still some cancer in the back at the end of the year But through God’s grace, the organs were clear It’s been seven months now, time for a new song Not so young anymore but still as strong In the annals of history, the story of her life She is unquestionably, a loving mother, a faithful wife A reminder then, the lyrics of the new song Not so young anymore, but still as strong. Two thousand and fourteen with hope looking ahead A loss of control in the one leg, the other one dead What’s happening now, don’t really know Pelvis also numb can’t even feel the flow Diagnose, analyse even consult still can’t say Once again XRAY Ct scan MRI the order of the day Life’s straight path again throws her a curve Radiation killed the cancer, but damaged the nerve The treatments, the medication all so profound Worst case scenario, she’ll be wheelchair bound She could give up now and say, I’ve run my race But for loved ones with a special kind of grace Her children, grandchildren always lifting her mood Unwavering support, their presence, spiritual food What lies ahead, how traverse this congested road How stay the course, how bear this added load No glib answer for every tribulation, every occasion But a quiet resolve, God is never, out of the equation In the final analysis, clearly, some victories won But for the quality of life, the fight rages on Two thousand and fifteen, just a nuance of dread What if, thoughts mulling around in everyone’s head We witness her suffering, the sweat on her brow Confined to her bed, but hand still on the plough Quietly fearlessly contemplating her ultimate demise Reality check, more treatment an abortive exercise October spring Christmas and the joy it will bring She contemplate reflects hears every bird sing They whistle, determined to praise their creator She momentarily forgets the pain and discomfort till later Her mind now flirts with moments down memory lane Emotive incidents, special songs with a wistful refrain She’s homeward bound, that’s clear and plain to see Once there she’ll get all the answers, just let it be Then quietly serenely, she joins that celestial throng My heart my life’s partner, this forty five years long Fare thee well Dora my love my wife, my life Finally, forever young and forever strong. {c} APvN