Take Me Back - The Rebirth (COAAG)

On Sunday morning, the house was filled with gospel music from the radio as we got dressed for church.  However, this was on Easter Sunday, and I was eager to get dressed up in my french coffee stockings, patent leather shoes with a small heel (kitten a they say), light blue topper coat with hat, gloves and purse.  My siblings and I would stand outside and take pictures with some of the other neighborhood children.  Then we would head to church just a few blocks away with our family.

 (Mary is the woman in the third row(vertical) right side, 2nd row (horitizonal).  She wrote the word "me" on her white sash.) 

I’m walking with the king,

I’m talking with the king,

I’m walking with the Lord everyday.

These words would fill the church sanctuary as the choir marched in, and the congregation stood lifting their voices in harmony.  I have remembered  this phrase, this moment as a small child for years.

As I pan ahead years later, on another Easter Sunday my mother said, “Your aunt is going to be singing in church today.”    I said ok, and I was headed out the door to church.  My mom didn’t go with us that Sunday.  She had cancer, and she was not feeling well enough to leave the house.

Sitting in the church sanctuary, the choir rose, and the intro to a song  ‘He Would Not Come Down” was being played on the piano.   As the woman approached the mic, a small voice said,  ‘That’s Mary”, and I responded yes.  The voice was my son, and the woman at the mic was my Aunt Mary.   To hear her bellow out the words with such a beautiful voice was outstanding; it was phenomenal.  The choir members shouted “Sing Mary.”   I smiled, and was so proud of this talented woman; my Aunt Mary.

The tape I had with the little voice “That’s Mary” was recorded over.  Mary has since passed, and her voice would not be heard again.  While doing some family research a few summers ago, a church member gave my sister some cassette tapes that she had.  One of voices on the cassette was Mary’s.  Was it a rebirth? Yes!  Was it a special gift? Yes!   Mary’s voice is with me today in song.  The memory of her marching in with the choir , and looking over at me with a smile is unforgettable.

In closing,  I had a conversation with my sister as I was writing this story.  It was the usher’s anniversary yesterday.  I asked her, “Do they still march around the church like they use to?  "She said," Yes.” (She lives in my hometown.)  Well, when you see over 100 ushers dressed in white, march down the middle isle of the church, and  with their special strut, it’s something to behold.  This rebirth of COAAG has taken me back home, and it’s surely a blessing to have such wonderful memories that are priceless.