Christina posted the following in the Guest Book of Rita's online obituary: "I called Rita and Karl my "2nd parents" and I will forever feel that way. Rita was such a role model for how to live life. She brought joy to everyone that knew her and I feel blessed to have spent time with her. I will never understand "why?" - Heaven must have needed an Angel back. She will be missed dearly. My deepest sympathy to all of you."
Like many of you, I have questions about death. My Mom's chain mail provided some assurance that death is not the end:
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.'
Very quietly, the doctor said, 'I don't know.' 'You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?'
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining. And as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, 'Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before he didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.
I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough.
