Disguised Blessings: A Book Of Poetry

By Orpha Ale Mineque

Disguised Blessings is a book of poetry. This is a compilation of poems that I wrote for about a year when the COVID-9 pandemic started in 2020.

The poems will take your imagination to stories of my personal life, friends, and families. They were the people who inspired me and played vital roles in my life. It will also take you back to my youth and the island I grew up in. In my poems I also shared stories of how wonderful it is to love, be loved, and the hurtful experience of being rejected.

A lot of the poetry I wrote were inspired by nature and its beauty that surrounds me. I saw God's glory through His creation and heard His voice and felt His presence.

Disguised Blessings are my unexpected gifts that I personally received amid the pandemic. Being a registered nurse working in the frontline is unnerving. God had protected and shielded me from COVID-19 so I could continue serving in His ministry of healing.

God had blessed me with talents that I was able to use when I most needed them to keep myself above all chaos from the pandemic. I was able to do many to maintain a healthy mind and spirit. Best of all, he endowed me with special and beautiful thoughts that flowed into rhythmic words of poetry.

I'm inviting you to emerge into the pages of this book and be inspired!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639616275

Book preview

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Disguised Blessings

A Book Of Poetry

Orpha Ale Mineque

ISBN 978-1-63961-626-8 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88616-690-3 (hardcover)

ISBN 978-1-63961-627-5 (digital)

Copyright © 2021 by Orpha Ale Mineque

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Dedication

Preface

My Family

Sweetest Soul

Simply Remembered

My Father's Prayer

Fun Summer Days

A Perfect Match from Heaven

The Healer

Remembering Dan

Infectious Laughter

As I Bid Farewell

A Beautiful Scar

Life Simply Lived

The Strength of a Rock

Thankful for Another Chance

Ripples of Love

The Sunbeam

When Sunset Closes

Precious Gift

The Best Things That Happened to Me

Thank You, Lord, for Giving Me Life

My Life Ahead in a Dream

The Angels' Safekeeping

Birthday Thoughts

The Beauty in You

Heaven's Finest Gift

Captivated by His Glance

A Wedding and the Soaking Rain

Love in Action

Thank You for Love

A Love Deeply Rooted

Trust in Him

Love That Brings Calm

The Warmth of Love

A Life Lived

Beautiful Surprise

Soulful Cats

Blessings of Love

Only with Me, My Love

Above All Chaos

You and I, We belong

Trust That Binds

My Island Home

A Friend in Her

Remembering My Youth

What a Delight to See

The Church Bell Tower

The Fort San Andres

On Friendship

Blessings of Friendship

Treasured Friendship

You're in My Thoughts

Fun Adventures

Blessed with Touch so Tender

Grant Me Direction

Bright Red Lips

Savor Each Day

Why Am I Waiting for so Long?

The Soap That Cleanses

The Angelic Voice

Be Courageous

Losing You

Goodnight, My Friend

Life's Detour

A Heart That's Kind

Friends Like You

My love of Nature

A Promise of Hope

From Heaven's Garden

After the Summer Rain

A Gleam of Hope

The Soft Voice

Beauty All Around

The Unscheduled Show

Embrace Your Springtime

Chasing Sunsets

Only with a Child's Heart

The Dancing Rain

Reflect His Glory

When Time Ticks Away

When the Bee Stings

The Rolling Waves

Rise Up and Shine

If This Would Be My Last

Paintings in the Sky

Grateful I am Free

I Feel You, Lord

A Touch by His Hands

My Heart Rejoices

When Summer Comes

Safe in His Cradle

My Favorite Things

The Beauty That Was Once

On Human Caring

My Hands to You I Give

Horrid COVID

Is It Real?

Behind the PPE

A Touch That Heals

My Nursing Prayer

My Wish for You Today

Keep Your Lamps Burning

Let Your Light Shine

A Little Bit of Love

Power of His Touch

My Early Loves

Under the Big Black Umbrella

My Forever love

Paradise Love

Desiring Her

A Change of Heart

Is It Love?

Even Only in My Dreams

Lost Love

Together Once More

Christmastime Is Here

A Mother's Sorrow

Sunny Christmas

A Package Wrapped

The Real Gift

Ring the Bells

New Year's Blessings

My Heroes

Scars Unseen

Pride of the Orient

Grateful to America

Disguised Blessings

Disguised Blessings

A Prayer of Thanks

About the Author

Dedication

I grew up in an island called Romblon in the province of Romblon, Philippines. Life was hard for the big family of thirteen children. My dad was the sole breadwinner who was making meager income to meet the needs of his growing brood. My older siblings had to live with some of our relatives and work as household helpers so they could go to school. They were working students while pursuing their college education.

My mom was a lady of great faith. She put her whole trust in the Lord. She strongly believed that education would be our only way to get the family out of hardship. It was her strong faith and determination that carried us through and brought changes in our way of life. Her dreams came true with fervent prayers when our sister Elda Flor Renegar became a registered nurse and took a job in Taif, Saudi Arabia. She supported the family financially and the education of her siblings.

This book of poems tells stories of my family, childhood, friends, and colleagues who played important roles in my life. Some poems were written from my experiences that has fascinated and inspired me. Some were written as tributes to my loved ones and friends.

I would like to dedicate this book in memory of my beloved parents, Floro Rafol Mineque and Alfreda Magpusao Mineque, who were our constant support and guide. Their love and the sacrifices they gave carried us through during our hardship in the early years of my life. Also to my twelve siblings and their families, my sisters who are living—Fely Palado, who was there for me during my college days bringing me food at the dormitory and picking up my laundry; Elda Renegar, who paved the way to my nursing career and her late husband, James K. Renegar, who helped me financially at school; Genesia Warner, who breaks the silence with her laughter; Ellen Pet Phoda, who always believed in my academic potentials and shares great memories of our youth; Rubi Conanan, who inspires me with her smiles—and in loving memory of my brothers Rueben Mineque, Daniel Mineque, Floro David Mineque Jr., Jonathan Mineque, and Edmund Mineque. They were all hardworking men who made their own ways to uplift the family's living conditions. I also share this book to my nephews and nieces and grandchildren where they could learn beautiful stories of how the family began.

This book is also dedicated to my gorgeous and devoted husband, Napoleon Marzan Duey, who always supports my passion and never doubts my capabilities; our son, Kyle Jason Duey, who shares my love for arts and literature; our daughter, Sarah Jessica Duey, who gives me the feel good treats; stepdaughter Maria Melissa Duey, a doting mother to our lovely granddaughter, McKenzie Jade Nemzek.

I would also mention a special friend, Tessie Ramos, who did my laundry while I was in the dormitory during my nursing years, and her son, John Eric Ramos, who has been a constant help to the family.

I also dedicate this book to all my best friends from my childhood—Grace Falcutila Szpak, Evelyn Reyes-Saeeda, and Leosa Barbra Reyes Alis—that make up the GOEL with whom I share beautiful memories of our innocence and youth. I would like to honor my best friends in college—Amy Magtanong who is my constant phone mate, who inspires me with her academic quests in nursing; Elizabeth dela Torre, whom I share my thoughts on life; Elsie Javero whom I admire for her wit and youthfulness; Naomi Sempeltz for her resilience, patience, and positive outlook in life; and to all my classmates in Romblon High School batch '80 and my nursing classmates, The LEALs, batch '85.

I would like to include my family members, colleagues, friends, and patients who battled COVID-19. Honor and respect I give to those who lost their precious lives and those who are mourning for the loss of their loved ones.

I took inspiration and encouragement from my family, friends, and colleagues—Suzzette Seril, Lola Pollack, Alicia Tullo, Merly Llanto, Betty Miranda, and Dahveed Neumann—who believed in my literary talent from day one and constantly reminded me to compile my poems into a book of poetry.

I would like to give my gratitude to my friend and silent editor, Robert Murray. To the lovely ladies whom I find great friendship in my later years—Janel Puyot, Tita Ravi, Mila Damian, and Nimfa Cooper—thank you for being around as we continue to create beautiful memories.

I look up to two wonderful ladies whom I see as my mentors. I take wisdom from Betty Miranda and the late Linda Cebedo. Not to forget my friends and coworkers in MICU at VA Medical Center who never turned me down when I offered to read my poems after they were freshly written, unedited. I called them my interlude while giving report to my reliever during change of shifts.

Foremost, I give honor, praise, and gratefulness to God for allowing my thoughts to flow in words, words that have become poetry. From Peter Guerro's musical prowess, my poems have become songs. All glory to His name.

To my readers, thank you so much. I am hoping that you will find joy, inspiration, and encouragement as you read through the pages of this book, Disguised Blessings.

Preface

Finally, the true side of me is coming back, and I'm glad to really do something I am passionate about. Life is full of detours. Sometimes, we want to go on a path that our true selves dictate, but for some reason, we are diverted to do something that we don't even think we would traverse. It maybe destiny that we go through life's journey