The black and beautiful life of Mary Goins mattered to a multitude of my people. She lived every inch of her life with a gracious dignity that made it so easy for all of us to love and respect her. She was born a slave as the Civil War erupted in 1861 and died in what was purported to be freedom in 1961, when she was a hundred. She was a native of Mannsdale, Mississippi, and never left. She lived on Granddaddy’s place up that short path past those haystacks on a pole. The house was both delightful and dilapidated […]
We’re Not Jewish; We’re Southern!
When they were nine and six, our oldest grandchildren were discussing religion around the kitchen table. Their mother was a family counselor for the large Jewish Community Center in Charlotte, so she enjoyed the various holidays of that faith. Since this family had yet to find a “church home”, religion was a confusing topic at times. So Cooper raises a question at the table: “Mom, are we Jewish?” Having just observed Christmas and Hanukkah, of course the kid was confused. While his mother was trying to explain it all, his very wise sister Claire exclaimed in exasperation, “Cooper, we are […]
Pumpkins, Posters & Politics
While the days grow shorter, fall colors are carousing with our natural surroundings. No, the leaves haven’t turned their bright orange or brilliant red yet, but the highways are scattered with political posters as candidates change their colors for this special season. Elections bring out all sorts of flamboyant characters, each claiming to stand in that great tradition for truth, justice and the American way. Well, maybe just the American way, whatever that may be these days when truth and justice seem so elusive to so many of our citizens. Republicans and Democrats strut their banners and sling their slogans […]
Simple Things Matter a Great Deal
Andre Dubus had stopped to help a woman and a man stranded on the side of a highway when he was hit by a passing car. He saved the woman’s life by throwing her out of the way, but he lost one of his legs and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Dubus was a college professor of creative writing and an author of many good short stories; as a result of that incident he said, “Some of my characters now feel more grateful about simple things — breathing, buying groceries, sunlight — because I do.” Some […]