Wednesday, December 18, 2013
December 13, 2013
Rita has touched so many lives in such a positive way. She's the one you've known forever. The one you would go to for honest advice and genuine support. The one who accepted our quirky little habits and understood us in a way few others can. She's the one you could call at any hour-to laugh or cry or complain. Always offering her precious time and encouragement and was a gentle source of strength and happiness. She was the one whose voice has been there all along, your voice of reason, sharing secrets and conversations with the deepest confidence, when you needed it most. She's the one who could read your mind, hear your heart, and simply love you the way you are.
Rita has made such a difference in our lives, and for me especially, making me a better person than I ever could have been without her! She was down to earth, never flashy or extravagant. So many memories that I hope can bring smiles and remind us how wonderful a person she truly was. I have heard so many stories about how she made a difference in so many people's day/lives. There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but she by far, surpasses them all.
Right now our loss is fresh, it may be difficult for us to imagine that this pain will ever go away. but in time, the blessing of God's unfailing grace will soften the hurt that we are all feeling, and bring our hearts the peace, comfort, and hope, that it needs to heal. It's hard to lose the family and friends we have laughed with, leaned on, and loved most dearly. Let us remember the smiling, the laughing, the sharing, the caring, and the loving.
Let us remember the good times, always! I hope the feeling that we all knew of such closeness with Rita, will help soften our sorrow. So many hearts are feeling sadness, because she was here and because she was so loved!
Having lost both of our brothers just 5 years ago, Rita and I both feared losing one another. Neither of us wanted to leave the other behind, and that was a heavy load for us to carry. Well, the light has been seen, and the moment is now upon me. Without my beautiful, beautiful sister to carry on this family's precious legacy of love and giving, the responsibility is all mine.
If this could have been our last conversation, the last opportunity to tell her, all that she has meant to each and every one whom she has touched in her precious life, perhaps, it would go something like this:
I wish we could go back in time...back to those unspoiled moments in our lives, before hurt ever touched our hearts, before doubt ever entered our minds. Because if we could go back, I would hold you longer, never miss a chance to tell you how much you mean to me... and I would never, ever hurt you. But I know we can't go back to those days. I know I can't erase the mistakes. I can't take away the questions you had or the hurt and pain you felt. But I assure you of one thing, I love you as I did then, and as I always will. There is so much to be said about you, your purest of hearts, and the sincerity deep within it. Always modest , humble and unpretentious. You have always been a devoted, wife, mother, grandmother, Aunt, Great Aunt, sister in law, lifelong friend, co-worker, my sweet, tender loving sister, but so very much more. You have has added so much to our lives. Always made us feel safe and truly cared for. While you did it without a lot of fanfare, you did it faithfully, day after day, and did it with such a deep love,
and constant prayers for the good of our family and your many precious friends. You have no idea of the depths to which you will be so deeply missed! Until I see you face to face again, beyond those pearly gates, your arms wide open, I vow to you, to be all that I can be, just as you my sister, have done.
So for today, we can "let go and let God", and may God Bless us all.
