Edward Duke Cowell Jr.: A Life of Quiet Thanks

 

A Poem/Reflection in Honor of Ed Cowell                       Thomas E. Wilson- Guest Speaker/Friend

On the Occasion of a Service of Remembrance        All Saints Episcopal Church, Southern Shores, NC

October 2, 2021                                                         Edward Duke Cowell Jr.: A Life of Quiet Thanks

I was talking to Carol a couple days ago and she was telling me how attached Ed was to an old couch and how he kept finding reasons not to get rid of it. He had brought that couch into the marriage 37 years ago and it had some age on it then. I don't know what meaning that particular couch had for him; a place to share, a place to look out the window at God's creation, a place to be still and look into his soul, a place to remember? We give meaning to persons, places and things, and what we are doing today is to stop and give meaning to Ed Cowell for how he touched us who loved him, we, the people who he helped in our life's odysseys, the communities in which he lived and made a difference, and the country he loved.

Let me tell you one thing I hold on to to remember Ed's love for me, his wife, his church and his community. Every time I pick up a cork screw I remember Ed. Let me tell you the story. Ed was not a drinker, neither was Carol, but he and Carol loved to entertain people who were. So, he had a collection of full wine bottles collected over the years. One night he pulled open the cabinet and asked me to choose one. I picked one from the back and it was a nice French wine that I thought would go well. I did mention that Ed was not a drinker, well that meant he was not all sure of how to store wine over the years. The one I picked's cork started to crumble when I started in with a corkscrew. The wine was a little bit beyond its time, but we, some of the others and I, drank it.We tasted it because it was a gift from Ed, he had always wanted the best for his friends; we had all received so much from Ed, all of us knew Ed's heart. I should have finished my glass and kept my mouth shut. I embarrassed him, to my shame. Later, I apologized and he laughed, for his love was greater than his pride.

Even years later, he would relate that story to me and we would laugh. Ed loved telling stories; stories without drama. In my business, I hear lots of stories; stories like a movie plot where the teller is either the hero, in command of the stage not taking a false step like Fred Astaire, or stories about being a sad betrayed victim to a boo-hiss villain. Rather Ed told stories about growing up in LIBET City, coming often to the Outer Banks as a child, his time in the service, his work (paid and volunteer), his love for Carol, his love for the churches he had attended, his devotion to All Saints and the people he met and admired. He would tell, with fondness, stories of the histories of the churches he attended, but never anything detrimental. He would not discuss theology or creeds, he saw no need to argue theology even as he would faithfully memorize the creeds. He was of the age, when he was growing up, to memorize the Ten Commandments, and they formed the basis of interpersonal actions with others of whatever faith. However, the letter of the law was less important than the love behind it, and the man knew how to love. He was a Patriot who loved his country, but he had no time for jingoism or arguing politics.

One thing he was very strict about; he would NOT tell stories of the times when he would corner me asking if he could help a family in trouble and how much he would give, telling me not to let them know from whence it came. He would soft pedal any compliments made from me and others about how thankful I and they were for his volunteer work. And yet, he knew how to thank people for anything they did for Carol and him. He was a gentleman from the old school and we miss him, but, like his couch, his love is still here. The soul of Ed Cowell remains fully with God's Heart and still here in our hearts.

Thank God.

Edward Duke Cowell Jr.: A Life of Quiet Thanks

While well versed in today's economies

of exchange for profit, gain and thrift;

Ed followed a different practice of gift,

a free loving response to life's odysseys.

Consulting not just wallets or calendars,

but diving into his soul's treasure chest,

he would answer, not as if it were a test,

but dancing to Divine music in the stars.

Critics could say his stories were lame,

and his body was clumsy, not an Astaire!

But, how he could dance love, and care

for friends or strangers - partnering as same!

Wasting little energy on defending creeds,

he lived by spending time on caring deeds.

Deeds for which no trumpets loudly sounded,

but we, knowing him, saw faith fully grounded.