Layla’s great standing reception lasted for more than three minutes. As the viewers of over four hundred took their seats, some leaned over and whispered to their neighbors how amazed they were to hear such a heart-felt speech. This was a shock to them all knowing that in “Evangel Temple Church” she grew up as a shy, reserved child that never yearned for the limelight. She blossomed right before their eyes from a “Lady in Waiting” to a “Princess” in full bloom. She was known for her quiet demeanor, never sharing much of her heart with her friends, concealing her deepest secrets from others. Her friends loved her because she was a great listener, and on many occasions would employ her advice for their personal problems. They discerned a quality in her that merited their trust, which was the key to the door of their innermost secrets. Perhaps they saw her as an over-comer who conquered the countless opposing obstacles her own life experiences; perhaps they saw her as a gentle spirit that would never judge a person for their actions, or perhaps she was just too polite to turn a good friend down. Nevertheless, Layla was extraordinary, and all who knew her loved her. Layla was a “vocal communicator” who always pierced the hearts of the audience through her singing. She used it as a tool to express her emotions whether if it is joy, pain, sorrow or happiness. It was through her songs that she reached her audience.  Nevertheless, this was her big moment to shine. She worked hard for it, she deserved it, and she got it.

    This all happened because Bishop Frankie Evers always encouraged the youths to reach to the highest level that they could achieve. He watched every youth that grew up in Evangel blossom into their impressionable years of adolescence, and he challenged them to go to college to complete their dreams. Every child attending grade school was encouraged to present their report cards to him for him to monitor their progress. When their grades dropped, he would give them a pep talk having them to promise that they would do better. However, when their grades improved the Sunday evening service would not end without giving the youth his public recognition. Bishop Evers died two years ago in 1993, and Sister Evers, along with a few others formed a scholarship committee in his honor. Layla was the first recipient of this scholarship.    
 
   The audience took their seats; Sister Evers stepped up to the microphone, gave a few remarks, then she asked the Bishops and Pastors to form a circle around Layla who, by then, was seated on a chair in the middle of the podium. Both men and women, about twenty dignitaries, all outfitted in their liturgical vestments, band together in a tight circle, laid hands upon Layla anointing her with oil. The audience stood, pointing their hands towards the circle, praying audibly in agreement. Sweat and tears ran down many faces, as Sister Evers lead the prayer. They prayed for her safety away from home; they prayed that God will guide her within the halls of her new school, and around the grounds of the campus; they prayed that she would stay in Christ, and represent the people of God every where she goes. They asked God to give her good success in all that she would study, and God would rise up Christian peers for her. Although she would be attending a Christian University, and Leela was already a student at the same school, she still needed God’s guidance in order to stay on the right path throughout her college career.

   Sister Evers concluded the prayer with, “And let the church say, Amen.” The room rumbled in response with a resounding, “Amen”. While the audience took their seats at their tables, the room erupted in thunderous in praises in thanksgiving for what the Lord has done and for the great things that lies ahead while away in school.

    The Marina Del Rey was a banquet and catering hall that stood on the shores of Long Island sound in the Bronx. The view of the Manhattan skyline serves as a life-like mural enhanced with two illuminated silhouettes of the Throgs Neck and Whitestone bridges. The great entry room is generously graced with enormous elegant crystal chandeliers, waterfalls, and thousands of enchanting mirrors. The banquet room was equally elaborate with the ceiling and walls bordered with crown molding, sky-high columns, and lavish ornamental carpeting. The round tables sat eight to a table, topped with white linen tablecloths with precisely folded dinner napkins atop white bone china dinner plates. The innumerable pieces of cutlery were strategically placed on each side of our plates ready for its decorous use. The long-stemmed glasses stood empty by the coffee cups and water glasses waiting to be filled with the guest’s favorite soft beverages. The centerpieces were decorated with peach, lavender, and white carnations, with an even sprinkling of red and yellow roses. Each arrangement sat in metallic golden vases accented with white baby’s breath clustered between the wings of deep green ferns. The floral arrangements doubled as a conversation piece for adoring guests and floral connoisseurs alike. Personal waiters elegantly dressed in long-tailed tuxedos with bow ties served each table. Baskets of fresh-cooked dinner rolls graced the table. Garden salad was served, and each guest was presented with a chicken or steak dinner cooked to order. Soon, platters of selected sweet, rich pastries were paraded before us for our choosing.  

    Immediately after the benediction, Layla’s friends charged her, drowning her in cuddles, kisses, and congratulations. They left her with armloads of flowers and gifts, clusters of papers filled with lists of names, addresses, phone numbers, and friendly reminders to “please write soon”. By the end of the evening, Layla showed signs of fatigue. It was the dead of winter, and we faced a three-hour drive back home to the slippery slopes of the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania.