102 Years Strong

   Physically, we cannot make that statement about MARGARETT (PEGGY) LOUISE FOWLER. But we can, yea we MUST make that statement about her spiritually! Bob and Peggy were faithful Christians, working with the Lord’s church at West Second Street, Bloomington, IN for several years. Bob passed away in the late 1990s after a lengthy illness. Peggy moved to live with her sister Patsy Owen soon thereafter, and in recent years, both Peggy and Patsy moved to Bell Trace Senior Living. While her health prohibited her attendance to services for the past dozen years or so, it did not diminish her faith or her concern for those within this household of faith!

     Among Peggy’s hobbies was her collection of ceramic roosters! She had dozens of them; all sizes and colors. As well, she collected any figure of roosters including paintings, wall hangings, or other trinkets depicting this bird. She adored them! But when she moved to Bloomington, she had to part with the majority of her collection. It saddened her some, but as he told me, “I’ve outlived them. I can’t even dust them now.” (She had a constant sense of humor.)

     Peggy lived to be 102 years strong! She another faithful Christian used to “wear the crown” of seniority at West Street; her dear friend Geneva Stevens continues at this present time at 103. Peggy wasn’t ashamed of her longevity, but neither was she shy about saying, “I’ve lived long enough. I need to go be with the Lord. ” Her sister Patsy told me, “She’s good company, but she’s tired.” While the psalmist said that our days are three-score and ten, he also said, “and if by reason of strength they be four-score years, yet is their strength (the strength of those years) labor and sorrow.” (Ps. 90:10) What of five-score years and two? Physically, it was her struggle … spiritually, she loved the promise of  Philippians 2: 21 – 23.

     I muse on the example established years ago by this wonderful couple! Their kindness and generosity were exceeded only by their love for the Master and serving Him acceptably! And to know Peggy was one of the oldest I’ve known … what a blessing to achieve in this life, and even a greater blessing to know the vast majority of those years, including the latter, were dedicated to faithfully serving Him reminds me of Revelation 14:13. Rest well, Peggy. We still love you!