Collin County Living Well Magazine Winter 2014 | Page 27

SPEAK YOUR MIND
By Rick Allen

My dad was, in one sense, a man of few words. His words were well chosen and spoken with a tone of
confidence that literally dared you to challenge him. While everyone might not agree with him completely on a particular subject, it was hard to say that he was totally wrong because

HE

whole-heartedly
BELIEVED

IN HIS POSITION.
When my dad died in 1995, as a family, we had
no doubt what the appropriate things to do were
in planning his funeral and buria. His professional
demeanor and desire to be well-dressed led us to
select his best dark colored suit, white shirt, and a
bold tie. His love of God and care and concern
for his friends and colleagues made it right and fitting to hold his funeral at his church. His planning
in advance and selecting the exact spot near a
beautiful, large magnolia tree in the local cemetery where he and my mother would ultimately be
laid side by side eliminated the need for discussion
regarding this final disposition.
As I sat in the pew, deep in my own grief, I could
not have been more proud of my dad. The words
spoken by the pastor, a man who knew my dad
so well, recalled experiences they had shared and
words of encouragement and guidance that my
dad had offered during difficult times. The song
sung by the vocalist reflected a life lived by serving
others. Finally, after the prayer at the cemetery, the
bright, blue, crisp December sky swallowed up the
colorful balloons we all released with our personal
notes of “Good-Bye” attached. In spite of how difficult and sad the that occasion was for me and
my family, looking back, I now feel so happy and
proud that because we knew our dad so well and
understood his attitudes, creating a meaningful
and appropriate tribute to his life came naturally.

While writing this article, I have stopped on two occasions to take phone calls from people who are
currently dealing with family members who are terminally ill and near death. Both families are just now
beginning their search for information about funeral options and cost. Neither caller had discussed
the subject with their family member who was ill,
and unfortunately, “last minute” talks along that
line can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable.
So, as always, be sure family members know where
you stand on important issues.
As I close this issue’s article, I would like to offer
a word of exceeding thanks to all of our military
men and women who are courageously serving
our country around the world. Additionally, I want
to thank all of those who have previously served
as well. Our funeral home is a proud member of
the Veterans and Family Memorial Care Network.
We are still privately owned and family operated,
but as a member of this network we have agreed
to offer certain benefits to qualifying veterans. To
learn more about the Veterans and Family Memorial Care, you can log on to www.VeteransFuneralHomes.com or call our funeral home and we can
send you a brochure. Finally I would like to wish
each and every one of you a blessed upcoming
holiday season and all of the best in the upcoming
year.

Rick Allen is the owner of Allen Family Funeral Options.
Visit their website at www.affoplano.com or give them a call at 972-596-8200.

COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | WINTER 2014

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