Wednesday, April 28, 2010

IN LOVING MEMORY-MY DADDY







Louis Anthony Heringes
June 14, 1919 ~ April 27, 2010

Daddy was born June 14th on Flag Day in 1919 to Hungarian immigrants, Frank and Sophia Heringes in Cleveland Ohio. He had five brothers and two sisters. When he was 12, his father passed away, leaving his young mother to raise 8 children during the depression. They were very difficult times.

He was proud to be an American and served his country in the US Army in WWII. He fought on the front lines in New Guinea and was awarded "The Purple Heart of Bravery". All of the Heringes boys served in the Army in WWII, and, thank God, all of them returned.

Soon after returning from the war, he married his sweetheart Stella, my mom, in early December 1945. Darla, Linda and Louie Jr. came along to complete the family.

In 1957 the family traveled cross country in Daddy's beloved 1951 chevy pulling a 20 foot trailer. He loved that car! Over the years, he actually wore the paint off in spots from polishing it so much. Did you see the Lucy and Desi movie "the Long, Long Trailer"? (personal story) "It was late August and very hot. While climbing the rocky mountains, the car kept overheating. It seemed like every time we turned a corner we'd have to stop and let the car cool down a bit before adding water to the radiator that was stored in canvas bags that hung off the bumpers of the car. When that ran out, he resorted to draining the toilet tank in the trailer. We just made it over the mountains using every last drop of water we had."

Our mom Stella passed away in 1964 after a very long illness.

Daddy loved to cook. Especially Hungarian food. He made the best Kolbas (coal-bas) sausage, and keflis (keeflees) cookies. He loved to sing funny songs, joke around and do gardening. He used to have the most beautiful landscaped house in his neighborhood.

My husband Richard introduced May Wilson to Daddy and they were married for 23 years. She passed away in 1996.

Daddy is survived by his daughter Darla Heringes, his daughter and son in law Linda and Richard Gurule, his son and daughter in law Louie Heringes Jr. and D'Ann, his grand-daughter and her husband Courtney and Ron Olivas, their two boys Tanner and Aiden, and his grand-daughter Jordan and her husband Christian Szabo, and step children, Marge, Steve and Carlene.

Just this past Monday, the day before he passed, Tinkerbelle and I spent precious time with Daddy. The past couple of months, He hadn't felt up to coming to the activites room for our little singing time with the residents, but, when I walked into the room there he was. He had a big smile on his face and said excitedly, "the war is over!" When someone has dementia, it's best not to tell them they're not right about something so, I quickly said, "that's wonderful, Daddy, lets sing some patriotic songs!" We sang two of his favorites, "God bless America" and "Battle Hymn of the Republic". Daddy was so animated. He was waving his arms like he was directing the choir and making funny faces at me making me laugh while trying to sing. After the program, we went outside on the patio for a while. He suddenly got very tired. It was time for lunch, so we went inside. He didn't have much of an appetite and kept falling asleep. I sat next to him and Tinkerbelle rested her little head on his knee. I woke him after a while to tell him I loved him. He answered, "I love you, too", and we said goodbye.

Less than 24 hours later, he was taken to the hospital. My sister Darla got there first. He was still alive when I got there, but only for a few minutes and he was unconscious. I told him I loved him and not to be afraid, and that Jesus was with him. Just a few minutes later, he just stopped breathing. He left this world very peacefully.

Daddy was right. The battle for him is truly over. He has no more pain, no more feeble body, no more dementia. He's with the Lord in Heaven now. The tears are bitter sweet... I miss my precious Daddy so much, but, it gives me great joy knowing that he is with Jesus and we will be together again one day.
Lord Jesus, please give my Daddy a big hug and kiss for me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWB-OvMTK5M



Wednesday, April 14, 2010

THE POWER OF MUSIC

Have you ever been in a bad mood or just not feeling well and a song comes on the radio that just puts a smile on your face or brings you hope and encouragement? Or, heard one that makes you feel very sad, lonely or angry? Perhaps over a lost loved one or broken relationship. Or just the oppozite, makes you feel all "lovey-dovey". It's amazing, isn't it? The power in lyric and melody. There are songs I haven't heard since I was a teenager, but, they will occasionally pop into my head and I still remember all the words. I was a teenager in the 60's and, oh my, my friends and I loved the Beatles. (especially their early works) It makes me smile even right now.

Yesterday while picking up a prescription a song came on in the store..."if you're goin' to San Fransisco...be sure to wear some flowers in your hair..." by Scott Mckenzie. In my mind, there I was in my youth sitting on the grass at Hillcrest Park with my friends and my guitar....and of course, I had flowers in my hair!

It's really important what we listen to. Songs can build us up or break us down. They can cause us to focus on ourselves and our problems, or give us hope or help us find peace. They stir up emotions in us. There is a mysterious power in them. I have been going thru a very difficult time with my health the last several months. I found a song that has been such an inspiration to me. It is encouraging and life giving. The lyrics are from a very special book inspired by the love of my life. I love to sing to Him, and it brings tears to my eyes knowing He rejoices over us with singing, too. I hope you will be blessed and encouraged as you listen.

I'm a few decades older now and no longer wear flowers in my hair, but, I still enjoy gathering with friends and playing my guitar. This Friday night, as we get together, the following song will be the first one we sing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KmBnHyZkJk

Ephesians 5:19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord
Colossians 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

MORE THAN A FRIEND

This is a very tender love song written and sung by Jeremy Riddle a Vineyard worship leader. I love the honesty and heart cry in the lyric.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAb54FgkBww&feature=related

For more Vineyard Music:
http://www.vineyardmusic.com/vm/

Friday, April 2, 2010

At the foot of the Cross

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart

Now I can Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made completeYou have given me life
Through the death You bore for me
I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsc1QSw6DEs&feature=related

Good Friday...How Beautiful

How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful the feet that walked

The long dusty roads and the hill to the cross.
How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the heart that bled,

That took all my sin and bore it instead.
How beautiful HIs tender eyes

That chose to forgive and never despise.
How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

And as He laid down His life, He offered this sacrifice,
That we will live just as he died...

Willing to pay the price...Willing to pay the price.

How beautiful His radiant bride

Who waits for her groom with His light in her eyes.
How beautiful when humble hearts give

The fruit of pure lives so that others may live.
How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ.

How beautiful the feet that bring

The sound of good news and the love of the King.
How beautiful the hands that serve

The wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful, how beautiful

How beautiful is the body of Christ

by Twila Paris
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJfSp_rceFs