Friday, January 9, 2009

Our Precious Rebekah

Rebekah Ashleigh Quisenberry  
10/20/97-1/9/98
Today is a special day, the day our precious little Rebekah took flight for home. Though some may say an early flight, which I might agree with, we are so greatful that God entrusted us with her for even that short amount of time. I know she is in my mother's arms in heaven and we look forward to an eternity spent with them! 
Many may not know the whole story of her birth and home going so here it is. She was born in Florida at a transition point for us. We were headed to Asheville, NC and were just awaiting her birth and the sale of our house. My sister Lynelle was there, waiting, even to the point of missing her first grandson's birth. She quickly flew home to welcome him and a week later came back to assist in Rebekah's birth. What dedication!! Rebekah was born at home with the help of her dad (and mom of course!), Aunt Nelle, and friend Betty. All went well and she was welcomed and cherished by the whole family, 9 siblings to be exact! Within 10 days we had packed up the house and headed to NC.
 Since our house had not sold yet we lived at Foursquare's Camp Courtney in Hendersonville, NC for the first 6 months. We spent Christmas there with Steve's parents and his oldest brother. 
It was in the first week of January that she seemed to have trouble breathing, it only got worse. We took her to the emergency room, the doctor there being a Christian and knowing Steve was a pastor, prayed for us and Rebekah. He was not sure what was wrong. He thought that she may have pneumonia. We were sent to Mission Hospital in Asheville. After several days of tests they found a very rare congenital heart defect, Anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. She was air lifted to Duke University Hospital where she would have the surgery. The surgery corrected the defect but complications set in and her little heart and body could not recover. There was so much more that happened in that week and the weeks to come that it would take a book to cover it all!
 God's presence and His love was felt so much through that time. As a family we learned so much: how to love, to live each day to its fullest, never forget to say "I love You", hang on to God because He is the only one to pull you through the tough times, just how important family and friends are. Our Rebekah will always be remembered in our hearts, maybe with a few tears as well. We are so glad she came.

Rebekah Ashleigh Quisenberry
You came into this world and you were innocent.
We held you in our arms and fell in love.
We looked at your smile and forgot everything unfair in the world.
we touched your hands and in them was a calming peace.
We looked into your eyes and felt closer to God.
We looked at your perfect beautiful body and marveled at
God's wonderful creation.
Then you got sick and we wondered if
maybe God hadn't made you perfect after all.
We prayed, pouring our hearts out to God, asking Him to please,
please heal your tiny body.
Then we get a phone call, the worst of our lives. We hear, but refuse to believe.
How, how could this happen? Would He give you to us to love and hold,
only to snatch you away out of our reach FOREVER!!!!
He couldn't, He wouldn't. Not when He knew the pain it would cause us.
But maybe God was in pain too. Maybe He saw His perfect creation, and saw
how beautiful you are, and He just couldn't wait any longer to hold you in His
arms.
So He took you home, a little earlier than we would have wanted,
but now you won't have to know any kind of pain or sorrow.
Sometimes we feel like screaming, crying and blaming someone, even God for
your death. Maybe someday, somehow we will find a way to lessen our grief,
but I don't think so.
This will be one of those things that will become part of our lives forever.
When I would hold you I would dream of you growing up to a beautiful little
girl and I would take you with me to different places an always be with you.
Now that will never come to pass, I will have to be content with your memory,
and that will never be enough.
I knew you for eleven weeks, others were only privileged with a couple of days.
But there isn't a single person that your short life came in contact with that
doesn't feel somehow changed. And we will never forget you.
You came into this world and you were innocent.
We held you in our arms and fell in love.


This was written by Lorissa Qusenberry and read at Rebekah's Memorial Service by her cousin Corrie.


6 comments:

Corrie said...

She was so precious. I can't imagine the loss or the pain your heart must still feel. I am so glad that we were able to be there for her memorial service. I can't wait to meet her too! (FYI: I couldn't watch the video, it said it was private don't know if that is just me or everyone had that problem.)

Mama Quiz said...

I think Josh fixed the problem in case anyone else was having trouble viewing the video. Try it again!!

Abigail Q said...

Beautiful tribute to your beautiful baby. I love you...

Karla Quiz said...

thank you for sharing you her story..

I Love you

EmilyJoyThompson said...

Wow, what a treasure Rebekah was. I am sad not to have met her yet...and I'm sure every time her sisters get together, some laughter and smiling is missed...and her brothers miss having to chase away all the guys that would have fallen in love with her. I pray during this season for God's peace in your hearts and joy for the future when you get to hold her again. Thank you, Steve and Lori for trusting God through the pain, both now and then. I am so glad for heaven.

Anjie said...

Thank you for sharing your story of precious Rebekah. My heart is smiling over her and my tears are pouring over her all at the same time. As I watched her video and read Larissa's story I lay beside my 5 month old baby whom we birthed at home as well and who also had trouble breathing. The photos you have of Anna and Steven holding Rebecca look just like Katherine and Cameron holding Miriam. I just can not imagine what you must have felt. God has truly shown his power to sustain you. God bless you and your precious children. We love them all.