One Year

We made it through all the "firsts" of the past year. First Fathers Day without Dubbie. First grandchild born after his death. First birthday for each of us, and his birthday also. First Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first date of Dubbie and Nannie's wedding anniversary, which would have been their 67th. So, today seemed like it would pass without much fanfare. But, it did not. Nannie was weeping when we arrived to bring her the new cell phone. And she was weeping when we left.

Today in a quiet setting I experienced some wonderful moments. I asked the Lord to speak to me, as I often do. And quite suddenly I had a picture of Dubbie holding Jesus' hand, just as he would frequently grab each of us by the hand when we left the house or nursing home, in a grip that resembled an arm wrestling stance. He would playfully wiggle his arm with our hands locked and then give us a hug. But today's picture was different: he was totally, peacefully, engaged in looking right into Jesus' eyes as they gripped hands. And the Lord told me that Dubbie likes it very much where he is now. He likes the arm grip, the walks in the grass, the sounds of nature ringing all around him that he can now hear perfectly. He loves all the music, the views, the people, the praise, the worship. He just loves it all and is totally at peace. And although I can rarely ever remember him being bent out of shape about much of anything in all my life with him, this is a peace that transcends any kind of peace I ever observed in him. Most of all, I saw the Lord take him far away from the gateway where I pictured him in those last two years of his earthly life. He is not looking backward. He is Home.

One more tribute

It has been one week since Father's Day. I listened today to 3 sermons, and 2 of them were recorded on Father's Day, but that day this year was two days after Daddy breathed his last breath, and one day before he was buried. Our family sort of "postponed" Father's Day. It was a bit too painful. JB and CB celebrated yesterday. Boo and M went through the motions. The three girls who were home for the day gave Muffin a great card, and we all smiled, but still there was a sadness that prevailed. So, I'm posting one last tribute, read at the Celebration service by an "older brother" from our church youth group who has remained a faithful friend to our family all these years.

Memories of Daddy Dub
I have so many memories of the man that I was privileged to call Daddy Dub. Some are far too personal to be shared with anyone other than Momma A., or Sister J. or Brother R. But distilled to its very essence my one overall memory of Daddy Dub is this: he was a really good man. Somehow to say simply that he was a really good man doesn’t seem intense enough or powerful enough a statement. But when I think of what that statement implies it seems to be most appropriate.

Daddy Dub was a really good husband. He really loved Momma A. He was faithful and loyal to her “‘til death us do part” as it says in the marriage vow. Daddy Dub was the epitome of what God intended when He established the institution of marriage. In my mind Daddy Dub was the model of what a Christian husband should be.
Daddy Dub was a really good father. He really loved Sister J. I know that he would have done anything in his power for her. I know he sacrificed to provide J with the opportunity to develop her God-given gift of music. He didn’t do so because he considered it a duty or obligation. He did it because he really loved her. He also saw to it that she was well grounded in the Christian faith and knowledge of her Savior, Jesus Christ. What better could a father do for his daughter?
Daddy Dub was a really good grandfather and great grandfather. He really loved his granddaughters. Take it from me—I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this. I wasn’t around much while the granddaughters were growing up, so my first-hand knowledge of that is limited. But, I heard things.
Daddy Dub was a really good member of his church. He really loved Grace Church. When persons present themselves for membership in a congregation of the United Methodist Church, they are asked: “ Will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church, and uphold it with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service?” Anyone who knew Daddy Dub knew that he really lived up to that vow.
Daddy Dub was a really good friend. If you had Daddy Dub for a friend, you really had a friend. He was a friend that you could share a confidence with and know that it wouldn’t go any further. He was a friend that you could seek counsel from and know that he would tell you what he really thought, not just what you wanted to hear. And most of the time his advice and counsel was right on the money.
Daddy Dub will really be missed. He will be really missed by his wife, Momma A. He will be really missed by his daughter J and he will be really missed by his granddaughters. He will be really missed by Grace Church. And he will be really missed by his many, many friends who respected and admired him.
Daddy Dub will even be missed by great grandchildren too young to fully appreciate who he was, and even those yet unborn. Someday they are going to hear their mothers and grandmother talking about Dubbie and they will want to know about him. Perhaps a good way to start to tell them about Dubbie will be to say, simply, “ Dubbie was a really good man”.

Father's Day with Father God

Father's Day was spent with our family, but Daddy spent it with his father, and Father God. It was a great time of visitation today--I have no idea how many people came but there was almost a chapel full at one time and a steady stream until after 5:30. Extended family was at our house for supper, furnished by the Gold Band Class, complete with pudding for the twins. Wish you had been here too. The slide show Muffin and Kak did is wonderful. Many folks commented on it. The mandolin music they downloaded was perfect for it. Tomorrow before the service and at the closing they are running the slides again, with our recorded CD.

CB's friend who is having a baby tomorrow came. Dr. Will, a former student's mom, several of the Denton Valley crowd also came. My 7th grade orchestra teacher came early, before the family arrived, and signed the book. And one of my orchestra friends from HS came--haven't seen him since high school. Lots of people sat down and watched the slide show several times.

A sample of tributes to my dear Daddy:

In his sermon today, Dad mentioned your Dubbie and how his faithfulness set the stage for the faith of all of you.

It was in January of 1958, having become a mid-term seminary graduate, that I, J. B. Fowler, was appointed to be pastor of Grace United Methodist Church. My wife Pat and I were more than excited to begin our ministry at Grace Church. With dedication and enthusiasm, we began our work and with supportive and dedicated laity, we accomplished more than we could have imagined possible. I remember that until the largest church in town received its confirmation class, we had received more new members than they had.

Growth and ministry was possible because of the dedicated members of Grace Church. And when I remember those who anchored and led our congregation, chief among them was Dub and Evlyn. Dub and Evlyn are synonymous with the mission and ministry of Grace United Methodist Church. Their contribution to this church can not be measured. Will Dub Allen be missed? Absolutely! And in ways we do not yet know. But he, like others we can recall, will be remembered because they have been loyal and dedicated disciples. In a real way, he will live on in our thoughts and memories. And we will remember him because of his inspirational faith. He was a good man who lived a good life and made this community and this world a better place.

Over the years, Dub lived his faith. His life was a wonderful Christian witness. He was God's gift of neighbor, friend, brother, father, husband--he was the best of these and those of us who were blessed by his life give thanks to God for him.

I remember one specific act of love and caring: Pat died in 1988. I shall never forget Dub's unexpected appearance at her memorial service. Now I know the very gates of heaven have again been opened wide. I know, even now they greet one another in the Kingdom of heaven. Whenever again we worship together and praise God with the wonderful affirmation,

"Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven,

We laud and magnify thy glorious name. evermore praising thee and saying:

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory!

Glory be to thee, O Lord most high! Amen."

we will know that the company of heaven has grown. We will remember Dub and we will know that he joins us and those faithful who have gone before as the company of heaven gathered at the throne of God. These holy words will forever carry new meaning and we will remember those who have joined the "company of heaven."

We remember our Brother Dub and even as we go through the pains of grief and loss, we will be thankful for him and praise our God from whom he came and unto whom he has returned. Amen.

When I Die

by J. B. Fowler

When I die,

Do not weep for me

Not only because of what you believe is yet to be,

But because such a wonderful life was given me.

Celebrate with me the gift of my life,

A gift with all its wondrous parts.

Mother, father, brothers, sisters, friends, teachers, colleagues,

The myriad of those who influenced and shaped the construct of my life.

I experienced all of life.

I have felt the hardness of struggle, failure, and despair.

I have been knocked down , counted out.

But I have gotten up again to know the exhilaration of pursuit,

The satisfaction of commitment,

The fulfillment of accomplishment,

And the surprise of success.

Life, I knew it all!

I knew its hopes, dreams, wonder, fulfillment,

And I knew the greatest of its gifts ; the gift of loving and being loved by others.

These are the fabric of my life, creating a wonderful tapestry.

Life has been good.

Weep not for me!

More of life I could not expect.

A greater gift I could not know.

And yet it is for more I hope

And like you, I yearn.

In which I have faith and believe.