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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781449041212 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | AuthorHouse |
| Publication date: | 01/29/2010 |
| Pages: | 232 |
| Product dimensions: | 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.53(d) |
Read an Excerpt
GRACE AND MERCY BROUGHT US THROUGH
By Phyllis Jean Robinson
AuthorHouse
Copyright © 2010 Phyllis Jean RobinsonAll right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-4121-2
Chapter One
Trinity Methodist Church, Chicago, Il."Good Morning Rev. Aaron", yelled Mother Grant as she rushed across the parking lot to greet Rev. Aaron Davis as he got out of his car. "And let me be the first to wish you Happy Birthday. How are you feeling this wonderful day? You look very handsome sir. You have a great day now, you hear! I've got to get in here and make sure everything is in good order for your special day. See you downstairs after service."
Rev. Davis smiled and said, "Thank you Mother Grant."
It was Sunday, August 19, 1946 a special day for Rev. Aaron Davis, a Black man who was about 5'10" in height and weighed 180 pounds in his heyday. Today he stooped slightly, and he walked with a slight shuffle as he pulled up as tall as he could on his cane. His freshly cut hair was snow white and his brown eyes twinkled with delight when two young boys ran past and bumped him a little. "Sorry Rev. Aaron. Happy Birthday."
One of the missionary ladies, who nodded hello, saw what happened and she pulled their coat tails and said,
"Now you boys have got to be careful. Stop running. Walk like gentlemen."
"Yes Maam," said the young boys.
"Leave the kids alone, they did me no harm", said Rev. Aaron. "We better be glad that they are interested in coming to church."
"You are right about that, Rev. Aaron", she said as she shooed the boys away and rushed inside.
Rev. Aaron couldn't see things as clearly as once he could. But, for a man who had reached a century mark in his life, one would say he was doing quite well.
He was 100 years old today. He was being honored at a special morning service program at his home church, the Trinity Methodist Church on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. One of the premier Black churches in the city, Trinity could house approximately 400 people comfortably on its main floor and in its balcony. Its choir stand held about 100 singers and every Sunday it was filled with enthusiastic voices singing anthems, hymns and spirituals to the Glory of God.
Rev. Davis looked at the beautiful white stone building that was framed on both sides by tall, oak trees and accented with containers filled with colorful daisies, impatiens, snapdragons and trailing greenery. The fragrance of the flowers filled his nostrals with sweet smells and the yellows, pinks, lavendars, reds and blues of the flowers in the redwood containers were pleasing to his senses.
Neatly trimmed hedges lined the walkways and the freshly cut green grass and the formally trimmed evergreens showed the excellent skilled workmanship of the grounds keepers. A calming sound from the bubbling fountain and the fluttering and tweeting of the robins, sparrows and bluejays in the birdbath completed the serene Sunday morning scene.
A majestic white cross on top of the church steeple, the stain glass windows that told the religious story and the melodious bells chiming in the tower were all beacons that welcomed the parishioners who were coming to worship. Rev. Davis had attended many churches in his life time, but there was something especially friendly and welcoming about Trinity that he hadn't found as readily anywhere else he had attended.
His youngest daughter Annie took his arm and helped him out of their shiny, black Ford. "Here's your cane Papa, let's get inside before the crowd comes."
It was a short walk from the handicapped parking lot to the church and they made the trip in short order. From behind they heard Annie's husband Edward say,
"I was listening to the radio this morning and I heard the weather report. The weatherman said that it's supposed to get up to ninety degrees today. I believe it's close to that now. He was wiping perspiration from his face with the white handkerchief that he was carrying in his hand. "I hope it is a little cooler inside than it is out here. They are going to need plenty of extra electric fans in there to keep things cool."
A white Lincoln drove up and pulled into the parking space next to theirs. Liz, Aaron's oldest daughter, was driving. She poked her head out of the window and said, "Good morning family. Hi Papa, you're moving too fast, wait for us."
Liz, Scott, Rosie, Ben and James all got out of that car and rushed to catch up.
"Well, we surely don't want to be late for this special day," said Rosie. "I'm glad it's not raining. It's so hot now that the rain water probably would evaporate before it hits the ground."
They arrived at the front door of the church at 10:45 on the dot. Entering at the front door was very important to Aaron because he vaguely remembered a time, long ago, when he was unable to enter through the front door of the house of God. He remembered that only White people could go in the front door and when they entered they could sit where ever they wanted to sit. Black people had to go in the back door and sit up in cramped quarters up in a balcony in the rafters of the church. He remembered feeling very uncomfortable in that place and he didn't like that feeling at all. Because of that experience, he never again entered through the back door of any church nor would he sit in its balcony.
The head usher, Brother Moses Jones was waiting at his post with a big smile on his face. "Good morning Davis family. Hello,
Rev. Davis, Happy Birthday! We are giving you a special seat today."
Annie had pep in her step and a smile on her face as she followed behind Aaron and Brother Jones. She was wearing a crisp white, linen shirt dress, black kid gloves and black patent leather pumps with a fashionable purse to match. Her wide brimmed, black Milan straw hat made a statement of class to the church members who waved and looked on as she and the other family members made their way down the aisle. Brother Jones led the family down the red carpet of the center aisle and seated them in the front pews. He passed a program and a cardboard fan to each member as they passed him and took their seats. The grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins and close friends filled in the pews directly behind them. Annie had to 'shush' them and remind them of proper demeaner as they clamored noisily to get to their favorite seat so they could see what was going on.
"I can't see cause Aunt Myrtle got on that big hat she always wears," blurted out little Eddie. Aunt Myrtle was wearing her favorite floppy, natural straw hat. She had paid quite a bit for this stylish, Mr. John original and she intended to get her money's worth so she wore it every chance she got and little Eddie was not the only one to complain about it's size.
This floppy natural straw hat made her look mysterious and she loved how special she felt when she wore it. She had heard what little Eddie said and she started to say something to him; but she decided to ignore his remarks as she thought about the fact that he was much too young to understand fashion and style. Instead of making a scene, she opened her program and started reading. She looked up and smiled when she saw his Mother, Annie, coming down the aisle to chastise him.
Annie came back and spoke to little Eddie. "You have got to be quiet in church, honey. Don't embarrass the family. Now sit back and be nice or you are going to have to come up front and sit next to me."
Little Eddie didn't want to sit next to his Mama, like a baby, even if he would be able to see everything, so he sat back in his seat and tried his best to be good. When his Mother went back to her seat he sighed and moved over as far as he could to the edge of his seat so that he could see around Aunt Myrtle and that big ugly hat.
Brother Moses Jones led Rev. Davis to a seat of honor in the pulpit. He waited for Rev Aaron to sit down and then he asked him if he was comfortable. Rev. Aaron said, "Can you open a window, it's a little warm up here?"
"I sure will," said Brother Moses.
Brother Moses reached over and put a red carnation in the lapel of Rev. Aaron's grey summer weight gabardine suit. Next, he took his Palm Beach straw hat and handed him a program and a fan.
Then he went over and opened the window that was closest to him and made sure that the electric fan was pointed in his direction.
Rev. Davis said, "Thank you Moses," as he carefully set his lion's head cane against the wall next to his chair. He took his glasses out of his breast pocket, put them on and started looking more closely at the program.
Rev. Davis' family arranged themselves comfortably on the pews. While talking quietly and fanning, they acknowledged the greetings of those church members who were close to them.
"These programs surely are nice." said Annie.
"They really are," agreed Rosie, as she thumbed through the pages. "Look, there is a nice picture of Papa on this fan and look at this nice biography they wrote. The same picture is in the center of the program too. I was wondering what the program committee was going to do with that picture when Mrs. Mack asked for one a couple of weeks ago," said Rosie.
"They really went all out for Papa didn't they?" said Annie.
"They surely did," said Rosie.
Liz turned around in her seat trying to see if any of the other relatives that were expected to be there had made it to the service yet. "I hope the rest of these folks don't come in here late. They know what time service starts."
Edward unbuttoned his white suit jacket and continued wiping perspiration off of his face. "It is entirely too hot in this place, we won't be able to stand it if it gets much hotter in here."
Ben, who wasn't a regular at church complained too.
"Rosie, why did you put so much starch in my collar? I feel like it's gonna cut my neck."
"Sorry, hon', next time I'll use less; I promise." Rosie reached over and brushed a speck of lent off of the sleeve of her husband's charcoal grey suit and then went back to looking at the program.
Darlene Jones, one of Rosie's dearest friends, spotted her from the other side of the room when she and her family came in the church. As soon as the family was seated, Darlene jumped up and hurried over to say hello before the service began. Darlene was wearing a red cotton dress and a black floppy straw hat with a red flower in front. The flower bobbed as she scooted through the pews and stopped in front of the Davis family. Rosie looked up and saw Darlene as she said, "Good morning everybody. Come here Rosie. Love that black and white dotted Swiss number you're wearing. It looks so cool and Lord knows you need something cool to wear this morning. I haven't seen you in weeks. We missed you at the Busy Bees Club affair; where were you? Well, you missed a real good time, girl. And, by the way, we made over two hundred dollars for the Children's Charity too."
She hugged Rosie and acknowledged Annie, Liz, James and the rest of the family as the two of them conversed.
"I'm going to have to give you a call to tell you what happened. It's a long story", said Rosie.
"Well, I know this is going to be a fabulous day for Rev. Aaron and everything's getting ready to start. So, I'll see you downstairs at the banquet. Everybody brought something, girl: fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and of course, Mother Ross brought her delicious, deep dish peach cobbler; I can hardly wait."
Ben and Edward took interest as they heard the menu. "Sure sounds good to me." said Ben.
"It does sound good," said Edward, with a smile. "Mother Ross knows she knows how to make some finger lickin', lip smackin' peach cobbler. Nobody can beat her; not even Annie, though hers is mighty good. But, don't tell her I said that or I'll never hear the end of it."
As Darlene went back to her seat and got settled, another lady slid across the pew past Rosie. She said, "Excuse me please " ,and slid past her and kissed James on his jaw. Her dress was so tight; you could see every curve, crease and crevice. Rosie thought the woman's dress was going to rip apart if she moved in any direction too quickly.
When James looked up from his program and turned to face her, the lady was grinning from ear to ear. James grinned back as she said in her sexiest voice, "Save me a seat at your table downstairs after church, since there's no room here on the pew for me and I can't sit next to you now." She moved past Rosie again and got out into the aisle and then she waved and greeted all of the members of the family who were watching with interest and said, "How yawl doing this morning? It sure is a blessed day, isn't it?" She turned and sashayed on down the aisle to her seat as James and all of the men in the church watched the roll of her behind and the women wondered what in the world was keeping that dress together.
"It surely is a blessed day, my sister, and you truly need Jesus this morning," said Rosie as she shook her head and turned looking quizzically at James and the lady. "Who is that?" she asked.
"That's James' latest girlfriend, Mandy. She doesn't make it to church too often, but I guess she thought maybe she better get here today and protect her latest piece of property," said Liz as she shook her head and opened her program. Trying her best to ignore the spectacle that Mandy was creating, she said, "It's hard to believe that this day has finally come. We are truly blessed, yes we are."
Professor Andre Stone, the choir director and the organist started playing, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God on the large, old fashioned pipe organ that occupied the center portion of the choir stand. His hands and his feet glided across the keys and pedals of the magnificent instrument as he played this prelude selection and its rich melodious cords and the grand musical sounds immediately captured the congregation's attention and made everyone know that it was time to be quiet and prepare for worship. Then Professor Stone changed the mood of the service by playing an upbeat rendition of We Are Climbing Jacobs Ladder. He beckoned the sanctuary choir to head toward the choir stand, and the members, dressed in their long green and white robes, started marching in tempo up the center aisle. The choir members were singing lustily as they marched. The congregation acknowledged the procession by standing and singing along.
Rev. Davis sat for a moment and listened and then he began to pat his feet in time with the music; he also clapped his hands as he sang along with the choir in his rich baritone voice. Rosie and the other family members were all singing, clapping and enjoying the music.
When the song was finished, Rev Jerod Wallace, Assistant pastor of the church, came forth and greeted the congregation,
"This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad. Good morning Trinity members. What a beautiful day this is. Let us start our service with a word of prayer; which he rendered and ended by saying let's sing the Lord's Prayer along with the choir.
Reverand Wallace then said, "As you know, this is a very special day being sponsored by the Missionary Society. So, now I am going to turn the program over to the Missionary Society and our Mistress of Ceremonies, Mrs. Lucinda Mack, the president. Mrs. Mack stood and stepped to the podium. She looked lovely in her lemon yellow linen dress with a shiny, black patent leather pillbox hat. She was also wearing black kidskin gloves, patent leather shoes and a single strand of pearl with earrings to match. She took the microphone.
She thanked Rev. Wallace and recognized the Pastor of Trinity Church, Rev. Woodrow Delano Jenkins and the First Lady. Then she recognized Rev. Davis' family members, who sat on the front pews by name and said,
"First giving honor to God, I want to welcome Rev. Aaron Davis and wish him a very happy 100th birthday. Next, I want to welcome his beautiful family: his oldest daughter Liz and her husband Scot, his youngest daughter Annie and her husband Edward, his middle daughter Rosie and her husband Ben and his only son, James. Ladies, he lost his beautiful wife about a year ago to cancer and we want to give him our continued love and affection. We want to let him know that God is able. But ladies, that also makes him single now." She smiled as she focused her attention on James so that all of the ladies would be sure to know which man she was referring to. Mandy wasn't happy with that last comment. After all, James was her man; therefore he technically wasn't single at all as far as she was concerned.
Mrs. Mack continued with the introductions by saying; "Will all of the other family members who are in the congregation please stand up so that we can also recognize you this morning."
She stopped and looked around as all of Rev. Davis' grand children, great-grandchildren, and a few of his nieces and nephews, stood. After they were acknowledged with a hand-praise, Mrs. Mack continued with her welcome by telling a little something about the person being honored.
"Rev. Aaron Davis was born into slavery on August 19, 1846 in Southern Mississippi to a teenage Mother named Takiyah (called Tena by the slavers) and a Native American Father named Indian Charlie."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from GRACE AND MERCY BROUGHT US THROUGH by Phyllis Jean Robinson Copyright © 2010 by Phyllis Jean Robinson. Excerpted by permission.
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