Thursday, April 26, 2018
I think of flying when my mind's eye settles on memories of Rita. Not the "wind beneath my wings" flying though that certainly fits well enough. I had known Paddy long before I met Rita and if memory serves me, it was at Gord and Sharon's wedding that I mentioned that I had taken on the B.C. territory. Rita said, "No problem, you can stay with us!"
It was as if everyone would answer the same way? That kind gesture became a corner post of my life back then. The kind of experience that stays with a man forever. For years and through more houses than I can remember, there was a place to stay. Sometimes it was a few days but mostly the trips were 4 to 6 weeks. I have lived with 'me' for sixty seven years now and if a dare say, I ain't all honey and roses. But Rita always had a place for me to sleep and a setting at the table. I learned about hospitality by living under her umbrella and try as I might, her bar was set just slightly out of my reach.
There is a beauty that effervesces from a lady with a heart such as hers. It is the kind that can be felt and never needs explaining. The laughter, oh how she always laughed. There was so much to get done and often she would arrive back home from work and plunk herself down in the recliner to catch something on the television. In no time at all, she was off to sleep. Nothing that can't wait a tad she believed.
She was immensely proud of her children, all as different as colours of the rainbow. And of course, she had grand-children and great grand-children. Gifts so rare. She treasured them all more than any jewellery Paddy could buy for her.
To Paddy and family, I send my prayers and hope that in the re-living of all of our Rita stories, we have tears of laughter mixed in with our tears of sadness. Hers was a life very well lived and to all of you, thank you for sharing her with the rest of the world.
If I close my eyes for just a moment, I can see her resting on her recliner no wait, she is asleep. I'll leave her tv on. She needs her rest.
My LOVE
