Earlier this year my good friend Rita passed away. It was unexpected and way too sudden. What a shock when someone your own age dies. I don’t know about you but I’m not yet ready to leave this earth. There are so many experiences unfulfilled, places to see, people to talk to, friends to make and family to enjoy.

What does any of this have to do with jewelry? Rita loved earrings! So for her memorial service I made a collection of earrings that I took to the service and gave to our close circle of friends who are still to this day earring worshipers. We wore them proudly in Rita’s honor……..

 

For years I have been writing poetry to commemorate events. Not a typical style of poetry but enjoyable to me. Below is what I read at Rita’s memorial service while wearing the earrings made in her honor. She was a beautiful woman who I was privileged to call a friend. She lives on through us as we continue our journey.

The Garden of Rita
By Deb Schlenker

We are gathered here together
Celebrating a life lived each day
In the beautiful Garden of Rita
A place of spirit, generosity and play

Rita was our wife, sister and friend
We are blessed to have known her
She was a comfort and support to us
Always willing to listen and reassure

We loved spending time with Rita
Helping us put things in perspective
Her humor and wit had us laughing
While she dished out advice and directives

She thrived on intellectual discourse
In addition to her beloved books
Enjoying music, stitching and quilting
And eating what she cooked

Rita was the consummate professional
Who loved the puzzle of numbers
As a CPA, VP and CFO
No business problem could stump her

During her work life you should have seen
How she dressed in the latest fashion
Decked out in high heels and jewelry
How could she walk? We couldn’t imagine!

After retiring she reinvented herself
Now she wore jeans and flannel shirts
And talked about garlic and thyme
Wearing sneakers while playing in the dirt

Rita called us her shining examples
We called her a friend and family
She was dear to us in so many ways
And we miss her mightily

So with a feeling of joy and wonder
Our celebration comes to an end
In this beautiful Garden of Rita
Goodbye dear wife, sister and friend