My earliest memory of Nelson begins with a family trip from our home in Pa to visit them in Cleveland. I must have been about five or six. Boy, I thought they practically lived on the other side of the world. I remember thinking that they certainly must be special for mom and dad to travel this far to see them.
I remember that we all went to see the Cleveland zoo, and that Nelson dove us there. I remember him lifting me up above the steel fence to see the monkeys. I also remember him driving around the city and us looking at houses that were blown apart by a tornado. I remember too that some of Nelson’s wife’s relatives came to visit while we were there. And I remember playing in the bedroom with a young girl, I think her name was Dorothy; I’m not sure. Anyway, she kissed me. That was my first kiss. I’ll never forget that visit to Nelson’s house.
I saw Nelson occasionally over the next fifty some years, usually at some family function or Holiday. I always enjoyed talking with him. From little on he always asked how I was doing, and what I was doing for work. And like just a few others in the family, he called me Sonny. The last time I saw, and spoke to Nelson it was at his Camp at Raystown Lake in Pa. He was old now and walking much slower but he greeted me with his usual smile and laughter. I will always remember Nelson’s laugh. It was a chuckle he always had when first speaking, just like Lorraine’s- my mom. You could always count on that warm heartfelt greeting whenever and wherever you met.
Goodbye Uncle Nelson, until we say hi again.
Sonny
