The Day Nelson Preached (Part 1)

My father was asked to speak at his church’s Senior Citizens Recognition Day. During my life my father has been, at one time or another, chairman of the deacons, assistant pastor, music director, Sunday School superintendent, custodian, finance director, and any other job that was necessary at White Springs Baptist Church. He had spoken to congregations all over the county and had always done a more than an adequate job. But this time it was different. He seemed nervous and when I questioned him about it he said simply, “This isn’t talking about the Bible, this is talking about me. The pastor wants me to tell the congregation my life’s story and I’m not sure what to say. I haven’t done anything interesting.” As I listened to him, I thought of the things that had occurred during his lifetime. He was born on May 17, 1916 and saw more changes in his world than I can imagine. His father bought the first radio in the community, he remembered seeing his first airplane, his first automobile, the first electric light bulb, five wars, cell phones, computers, a man orbiting the earth, Neil Armstrong, Jackie Robinson, John Kennedy and was married to my Mom for 69 years. He reared three children, fought in WW II, was the first fire chief in our town and served on the first City Council. But this man did not think of his life as anything other than what he was supposed to do.


“Just tell them about all of the things that you told me,” I said as we sat under the tree out back. “I always loved hearing about the old days.” “You had to listen,” he explained. “I controlled your allowance. These people are not interested in the ramblings of a 90 year old man.” I thought to myself, “If you only knew the impact you have had on this community.”

Tomorrow-The Day Nelson Preached (Part 2)

More on Getting Older

Word spread that I was collecting Dad's sayings and people have begun to call and tell me ones they remember.  This is becoming a way for the community to remember Dad and celebrate the way he lived his life.  Some of these Nelsonisms are from these calls.

"Don’t mess with old."

"Never say” good bye”, always say “See you later”.  It gives us hope."

If you asked Dad if he had been to a particular place or seen a certain event, his response, if he had not already experienced it, was always the same.  "Not yet."

”The Devil can’t have me and the Lord is not ready for me yet.  When He is, whoever is with me will be the second one to know."

"A man called the other day to offer me a metal roof for my house.  He said that it would last me the rest of my life.  I told him, 'I’m 91 years old.  A cardboard roof will last me the rest of my life.'  But now that I think of it that metal roof might not be a bad idea.”

"Tom, you need to order some more tags for the bags I make.  I only have enough to last 3 more years." (Nelson at 90)

Dad and I ran into one of his nephews one Saturday morning.  “It’s good to see you Uncle Nelson. How is it going?” he said.  Without missing a beat my father responded, “At my age if you are being seen and not viewed, it is a good day.”

Getting Older

Dad  had a unique perspective on getting old.  I think he embraced the process of aging and truly believed that "whatever age you are is the age you are supposed to be".  The next few posts are some his thoughts on getting older.  Enjoy.

"I am not old.  I’ve just lived a long time."

"I never realized I went to school with so many old men."

"I’ve been to see the old people at the nursing home."  (Nelson at age 90)

"Try to live until you’re 100.  The obituaries rarely have someone dying after they are 100."

"When people ask if I have lived in Alabama all of my life, all I can say is 'Not yet'.”

"I knew I was getting old when people quit telling me I was good looking and started telling me I was looking good."

"At my age I don’t even buy green bananas."

"Surely I’ve got something they can use." (Said when he signed his organ donor card upon renewing his driver’s license at 90.)

"Getting older is better than not getting older."

Nelson's Way

Hello. My name is Tom and I will be taking over the blog for the next few weeks. Nick is happy is his new home and sends everyone his best. I will try to post pictures of him every now and then to let you see how he is doing. We are getting ready for next year but for the next few post, I will be sharing some humor and wisdom from my father.




Nelson’s stuff– A collection of comments and rephrasing from the smartest man I ever knew.


'And now the old man's gone, and I'd give all I own
To hear what he said when I wasn't listening
To my old man'
-Steve Goodman “My Old Man”, 1977



It has been a year since my father passed away. Like most sons, I never really thought it could happen. I knew it would happen, I just never thought about it. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. When things aren’t going well, things he said pop into my head. When things are going well, things he said pop into my head. This is my way of coping with the loss of my best friend and remembering what people in my home town call “Nelsonisms”. Some he invented, some he repeated, some he rephrased, but all have had a profound influence on me. I hope you enjoy the wit and witticisms of my father, Nelson Robertson.


"Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer you get to the end, the quicker it goes."


"The last pair of pants I’ll wear won’t even need pockets."

"I will accept you couldn’t, I won’t accept you didn’t."

"Don’t fight with an old man; we don’t have anything to lose."

"When things aren't going well, remember, this too shall pass.  When things are going well, remember,  this too shall  pass.  Things will always change.  Be ready for it." 

Another legend

Hello again.  It has been a busy week in the workshop.  Christmas Village was fun and we met a lot of great people.  Some of our new friends have interesting blogs themselves.  You never know what you will find out about someone.  "Steve"  promised some pictures of Nick when he gives him to his wife.  I can't wait to see his new home.  I'm new to this blogging thing and sometimes I feel like Doogie Howser.  I guess you have to be old enough to to remember that show and his daily journal entries.  I am finding out a lot about other Christmas traditions and I thought you would enjoy this one.  Keep in touch.

T. Nelson Robertson Jr.(Tom)

The Legend of the Donkey's Bray


After hiding in Egypt for some years, Joseph decided to move his family back to Nazareth. During the night they camped along the side of the road. One night while they slept, their donkey heard the soldiers' horses coming from afar. Afraid that the soldiers were coming to kill Jesus, the donkey neighed to wake Joseph. He neighed and neighed, again and again, but his voice was just too soft to wake the sleepers. Finally, as the soldiers approached, the donkey prayed for a loud voice to wake the family. When he neighed again, he was rewarded with the loud bray such as donkeys have had ever since.

Annoucing Our Gallery

Hello again.  Some of Nick's friends are sitting in the workshop, hoping to find a new home for the upcoming Holidays.  You can see them by going to the Whittler's Hollow 2010 gallery.

Perhaps you know of someone who would like to adopt one of Nick's friends. 

Merry Christmas.

Tom

Greeting from Nick's friend

Hello.  My name is Tom and I would like to thank you for following my friend Nick's journey.  I promised him that I would keep up the blog.  We had a great time at the Christmas Village Gift Show in Birmingham, Alabama last week.  Nick is now at home with "Steve" and says he loves his new friends.  I can't tell you his exact location because "Steve" is giving him as a gift.  A few of Nick's friends will be at my studio in Gadsden, Alabama and Gene and I will be putting some on the Whittler's Hollow web site soon.  Here are some pictures of some of the completed figures.  I thought you might enjoy some facts about Nick's other friends from around the world so I will research them and let you know what I find out.  Keep in touch.

Tom

Victorian Father Christmas

This is a typical, kind Santa as depicted during the reign of Queen Victoria, 1837 to 1897, and featured on postcards of the era. Christmas was a very important event centred around children & family. Many of the customs originated in Germany,(including the Christmas tree), reflecting the heritage of the Queen's husband, Prince Albert. A Victorian Santa often carried a Christmas tree along with 'tons of toys'.