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My Testimony, Chapter 2 |
| Written by Reginald Levi Walker | |
| Monday, 09 June 2008 | |
 A vision of God's loveliness before my eyes Most of the members of Derrick's Chapel AME Church were already present from Sunday school; however, four others came in as I stepped into the pulpit. The small church soon filled with the sounds of music from the piano and voices singing. Although Derrick's membership was small, the members believed in praising the Lord. The opening hymn was sung by the head stewardess, Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Perkins prayed the opening prayer. It was now 11:20 am and Mrs. West was not there. I felt relieved.
After another song by the small choir, I approached the large wooden lectern and placed my black bible and sermon there. Mrs. West still had not arrived. Closing my tired eyes, I said a short prayer. The moment I finished, I heard the front door of the church building creak as it opened. Keeping my eyes fastened on the white wooden door of the sanctuary, I instructed the members of the congregation to open their bibles to the book of Psalms and began to read a scripture.
When we finished reading the scripture, the sanctuary door slowly opened. First, a small thin older woman with flowing gray hair came through the door. She was followed by a teenage girl. The woman and young girl came into the sanctuary and was seated. A few minutes later, the sanctuary door opened again. This time, Mrs. Jane West came through the door.
Although I had started to preach the sermon, I stopped and presented Mrs. West to the members of Derrick's Chapel. ‘Ladies and gentleman, Mrs. West has just arrived to worship with us, today.' I quickly said. ‘I am so glad that you could make it, Mrs. West.' I promptly restarted my sermon. Then the door opened again. As my eyes focused on the slowly opening door of the sanctuary, I continued preach the sermon I had selected. I had preached this sermon before and had memorized it. The manuscript was there so I could use it if I needed it. It was there for a day like today.
It has always amazed me how beautifully God has created the female species of our race. Through the opening sanctuary door stepped a vision of perfection and beauty that only God could create. Velda Patrice West was the oldest daughter of George and Jane West. George, Jr., was the oldest child. Carol was the middle child and Kenneth was the youngest. Velda was born October 31, and graduated from Northside High School in Fort Smith, attended Spelman College in Atlanta, and graduated from the University of Arkansas law school in Fayetteville. When I met her, she had been practicing in her own firm for a few years.
Velda was five feet and six inches tall. Her caramel petit frame was covered by the black fabric of a tailored made business suit. As she covered the short distance from the sanctuary door to where her mother was sitting, her soft brown eyes met mine. I forgot the words to the sermon I was preaching and abruptly stopped speaking. I quickly covered up my memory lapse and said, ‘This must be Rev. and Mrs. West's beautiful daughter. I am sorry I do not know your name, Ms. West.' ‘Velda,' she quickly stated as she took a seat by her mother. Except for the height difference, it was clear that she was her mother's daughter.
Velda and I started dating that same night. She wanted to go to the mall by her parent's house after church and I quickly volunteered to go with her. From the mall we went to dinner and saw a movie. We talked the whole time as if we had known each other all of our lives. Velda told me all about her days growing up in the small town of Fort Smith. She was active during the civil right marches and demonstrations during her high school years. After graduation, she received a scholarship to attend Spelman. Later, she graduated law school from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Velda and I dated for almost nine months. She would travel to Fort Smith on the weekend to visit her family and to see me. I would travel to Little Rock after work a lot to see her. Mostly, we spent intimate hours talking on the telephone to each other. After we married, I relocated to Little Rock where Velda lived and operated her law practice. It would be in Little Rock where God would drastically change the course of my life.
Baby, I really yearn to be held by you (A note written to Velda, my wife)
Copyright 2008 Reginald Levi Walker |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 09 June 2008 ) |
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