By Betsy Finklea
Bishop Michael Goings has written a new book, “Growing Old in New Town – What Marked Me. What Marred Me. What Made Me.”
The book is a 151-page memoir of Goings’ experience of growing up in New Town. In the book, Goings reflects and tells the story of being reared in a small town in the 1950s and 1960s in the south during the Jim Crow era.
Goings said it tells the story of his family. He said his mother was a virtuous and strong woman, and his father was an intelligent man with issues that he struggled with. He said he shares what it meant to grow up with brothers – the camaraderie, the rivalry, but never a boring moment. He talks about the ways they used their imagination and creativity and some of the mischief they got in as children. He said they respected their elders, the police, and property.
Goings said he tells of some of the good times and the challenges including 10 children and two parents living in a small, four-room house with no bath and no running water. He recalls some of the people who impacted his life.
He recalls days of picking cotton with his mother and later transferring to bricklayers and cement finishers with his father.
He recalls his Judeo-Christian upbringing including going to a small church with an old potbelly heater pastured by Katie Sanders.
Goings said he felt compelled to write some of what he calls “the ugly things,” but says they are “true to history.” He said he included some of the “dark side.”
Goings said he is often asked why he has not left Dillon. He said he wants to make an impact in Dillon.
An excerpt from the book is available on www.thedillonherald.com under the category “Special Interest” under “Michael Goings columns.”