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Christina Gebhardt posted a condolence
Monday, November 12, 2012
You will always be my Prince!! You have sheltered, protected and never left me!! This past month with you I will cherish forever!! Your Fatherly wisdom of sit down and behave yourself to you were never a disappointment and you will always be my Princess was the most precious time for me!! Like I told you in the hospital whether you worked 2 or 3 jobs you always took time to sit and talk over small and big thing's!! I told you in the hospital do not be discouraged you were and will always be my Champ!! However, the last things you said to me you can do this your strong...lean on our Lord!! And daddy I have!! I promise not to be an ice queen lol and my heart is open again!! Thank you for being the best role model a daughter can look up too!! Love you Daddy, Chris
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Lisa posted a condolence
Monday, November 12, 2012
The other day, I was thinking about who would be eulogizing Larry and wondering what would be said. I started thinking over the last 19 years since I have known Larry and one thing stood out. Larry was who he was. You can say that about anyone....but when I say that about Larry....it means something totally different. He lived his life as an example...every day....to his family, his friends...even the strangers he would meet (who typically would become friends). So, this question now begs answer...who was Larry? To illustrate this, I want to share with you some of what I have decided to call "Teachings of a Father."
1st Teaching of a Father....Be proud to be a Christian and make it known that you are one. Ever since he became a Christian, Larry has been spreading the news. Fran has said that he never had a bible long because he was always giving his away to someone with whom he had spoken. I first met Larry on November 5, 2003. He was my transportation to an event which had a significant impact on my introduction to the church catholic. I had never met him before....so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It was certainly not what I saw before me when I opened the door. Back in the day. Larry was a big guy. Every day he used to wear a cross that, despite his size, was definitely visible. It was probably 3-4 inches long and about 2-3 inches wide. He wore it for the world to see...and the world identified him by that cross. "You know Larry...he's the one who wears that cross..."
Be Proud to be a Christian and make it known.
2nd Teaching of a Father....Trust God...He will keep you safe. In December of 2003, I took a new position working with AIDS patients. John and I were newly engaged and I debated whether to take the position due to fear of contracting the disease myself, from a needlestick or some other exposure. Larry was talking about this with me and he said..."Why are you afraid? You are a nurse, helping people in their time of need. God will protect you." He told me to pray Psalm 91 every day before I went to work...
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall beside thee, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under thy feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.
I was at that position for 7 years and prayed that psalm every day before I went into work.
Trust God...he will keep you safe.
Third Teaching of a Father...Run the race....whatever it is...and keep your eye on the prize. We are all called to bear our cross...hardships are allowed, as part of our story and the stories of others, which draw us to the Lord and aid in our sanctification. For Larry, his health issues were a significant part of his cross. Essentially ever since I have known Larry, he has had health issues. From a medical standpoint, he was living on "borrowed time" for many years....being, as his doctors have said, a "ticking time bomb." Throughout all of these experiences...emergency situations, procedures, pain, etc....he endured and kept plugging along. In May, 2006...shortly before I had my first child, Larry had his first heart attack. It was at this time I first heard him say the following... "If something happens to me, I get to be with the Lord, if not, I get to be with you guys...the way I see it, it's a win-win situation." This was his attitude with each and every event that occurred.
For over twenty years, Larry lived this lesson before his wife, his children, grandchildren, family friends, healthcare professionals...and countless other people...running his race, all the while keeping his eye on the prize and sharing his faith along the way to countless people.
Fourth Teaching of a Father....Ephesians 5:25-28...live it
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
Anyone who has been anywhere near Larry, knows how seriously he took his commitment to Fran, living out this verse on a daily basis. In a world that has so profoundly turned to a "me" mentality... unconditional love and sacrifice is hard to find. Larry demonstrated it in a very real way. It was witnessed by those around him and stood as a testament to a Godly man's devotion to his wife.
Ephesians 5...live it.
I could go on for quite a little while...talking about the lessons Larry has taught us through his daily life....just by being who he was.
He was a man who understood how humor can help almost any situation....and that sarcasm is truly an art. (Just as an aside....I have actually come to believe that this "art" is genetically passed down from one generation to the next...this, by the way, is not a lesson from Larry...it's just a daughter-in-law's deduction, based upon my observation of his progeny).
Larry knew that being a man of prayer is important...if he said he would pray for you...he did...every day. I can only imagine his level of intercession now. I feel immense comfort knowing he is part of the cloud of witnesses, praying for us all.
Larry knew that family is everything...I cannot tell you the number of times, whether in conversation or if I would be visiting, he would end the encounter with..."Sweetie, go and be with your family."
He understood that some lessons can't be learned without experiencing the consequences. He allowed things to play out the way they might...but he was there to help pick up the pieces when things didn't turn out. There is a country song that explains Larry's thoughts on this arena....The chorus goes like this....."That's my job...that's what I do...everything I do is because of you, to keep you safe with me. That's my job you see. "
This same song goes on to say.....
"Every person carves his spot and fills the hole with light.
And I pray someday I might shine as bright as he."
Larry shone bright....in so many areas. In a very humble and meek manner, he carved such a huge spot in this world, touching so many lives in a very profound way.
I pray that I might begin to have an impact such as this and continue learning and passing on Larry's legacy through these teachings of a father.
May God grant you rest eternal, my dear Father-in-law.
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Nicholas Lailas posted a condolence
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Nicholas Lailas purchased flowers (Mixed white spray)
With deepest sympathy. The doctors and staff of The Urology Group.
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Aaron Racine posted a condolence
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Aaron Racine purchased flowers (Teleflora's Heavenly & Harmony)
Sending thoughts and prayers your way. All Our Love, Your Family at Monaco, Sanders, et al.
Adams-Green Funeral Home & Crematory
721 Elden Street | Herndon, VA 20170
P: (703) 437-1764 or (703) 471-4090 | E: bill@adamsgreen.com
