Rita

Today, Thursday, at work we received the shocking news that our friend and coworker, Rita, died last night. About 10 of us had arrived at work and were told to immediately go to the conference room for an important announcement. I work in a hospital. Last week a hiring freeze was announced because some of the bonds that the hospital held had been affected by the current economic conditions. Could layoffs be in the future? We all knew the news coming wouldn't be good, our manager's furrowed brow told us. Once assembled the news was quickly and gently delivered. We were stunned. No one knew what had happened. Rita had been well as far as anyone knew. She didn't come into work yesterday because of an ice storm and the roads where she lived were not safe. Our managers had been called at home late last evening by the hospital Human Resources department. Rita was found at home in her favorite chair by her boyfriend. An autopsy was scheduled for today. Funeral arrangements were not yet even begun. Silence. Then tears. Then the reality of Rita's passing - sobbing. The day needed to start. Patients had prepared for their procedures, the doctors were coming in to do them. The doctors did not know yet. Rita was a lively cheerful member of our team. A busy, comical, kind of eccentric wonderful lady. Rita loved purses and jewelry and makeup, she loved a good joke and fair play, she loved her pets, a dog and some cats. Her family was her priority and we were privileged to see her photos of her children and grandchildren...the absolute loves of her life. On Tuesday she was talking of her retirement and making plans. She was dieting. Rita was 2 years younger than I am. She was instrumental in the smooth functioning of our unit. The loss is immediately felt. The group of us had about 20 minutes to gather our thoughts and emotions. Some, who were particularly close to Rita, could not work for a longer period of time.

The hospital sent a Chaplin to help us, then held a special Mass in her honor at the chapel. Rita was Catholic. Those who wanted to go...went, and we all took care of each others responsibilities as best we could.

In the 2 pictures above: the first, Rita is the first in line (of 5 of us standing in our old nurses station); the second, she is standing behind me.

What would be a fitting tribute to Rita? Friend, loyal, smile, laughter, dependable, mother and grandmother...and daughter - only child of her still living mother. As a group we want to do what we can to ease the family's pain, to help. For now, our own grief is taking precedent and we are feeling a deep loss in the sudden and unexpected passing of Rita.

I prayed for our unit, our special group of people who work closely together. We are friends and supportive of one another in good and bad times, in loss and in celebration. I felt the Lord for myself and His Peace descend upon us. How so very good it is to know the Lord, that He is there for us, even for those who do not know Him, He brings His comfort and His peace.