my heart's tribute to my sensationALLL swim & MORE instructor :):):)
alwayzzz spalshin' in eclectic waterzzz with you uncle herm :):):)
sweet joy in the fading 19th century for Christena and John
they welcomed little Hermie into their humble Houghton abode
infinitely warming the frozen Upper Peninsula landscape
sharing all their young love with hope for their wee guy
sadly, no other family of both survived for the lad
his doting dad lost his siblings at very young ages
his immigrant mom sent alone on her sailing ship
losing her own dear mom in Germany at a very tender age
just months after Hermie's birth spring colors became dark
as his shocked dad found Hermie's granddad hanging
leaving a young couple torn apart in bewildering grief
suicide left no chance for Hermie to have one grandparent
the little blonde boy would be surrounded in mystery
as neither parent wanted to tell him bitter truths of life
in several years he would welcome an only sibling
his thrilled parents presented his sweet sister, Merney
she also was given two other names for her grandmas
Augusta for John's mom and Agatha for Christena's mom
the only Rath~Eberle descendants passed their blood to one
Jack Coyne Ireland arrived with September 24, 1928 colors
Hermie poured his love on his only nephew for decades
He and his wife sadly were unable to have their own family
Hermie's mom, dad, and sister all died young as well
leaving Hermie as the only one to share his ancestral stories
When I came along he treasured me with his heart of gold
Uncle Herm was like a dear grandpa he never had in his life
when he was stricken with lung cancer it was a shock for all
we lost this patriarch in 1979 and I was changed forever
This Michigan mining engineer proved numbers wrong
His heart broke stereotypes that I carry always within
He now is reunited with my dear mom and dad as well
He is beside me NOW as I honor him with my love...
Thinking of that spring day when your sad grandpa left...
Oh how he missed a sweet treasure that I had in my life
Dedicated to Herman Rath Eberle who left on an April day
27 years later and the love is strong as always Uncle Herm
I love you...your little Johnny Cake...
GREAT Uncle Herm and his Johnny Cake... October 7, 1961
