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Nelson Bradford
19th November 2005, 05:03 PM (17:03)
Several weeks ago - or less - Hans mentioned some pictures I posted quite some time ago of my godly father, H. P. Bradford who left us in April of 2002 to meet my Dear Mother in heaven and the Jesus he had served for more than 70 years.

After my mother’s passing in Jan 2000, my identical twin sister - there’s a joke there - moved in to help dad, for he was, at the time 90 years old. And with her came her Mac.

Being a PC kinda guy I’ve never forgiven her for that. But that’s another story for another time.

Dad noticed Nancy receiving/sending E-mails and therefore became interested. So she set up a block of E-mail addresses for him - all his kids and grandkids and even his nephew, my 1st cousin.

Now please bear in mind this was a man who remembered seeing his first airplane. He bought his first car for $25 and a used bicycle. And had an 8th grade education.

But he was interested so Nancy helped him. He never was very good at punctuation - even those hand written letters from him had that familiar note at the bottom, where he’d add an entire row of periods and commas and semicolons and tell us to put them wherever we thought they were necessary.

He then sat down and wrote out the E-mail - by hand - so he’d know what to punch into the computer.

And my sister had her camera ready for this “family history” making event.

Here’s the first picture - him keying in the words - one letter at a time - now remember, he had to first FIND the letter on the keyboard!

Nelson Bradford
19th November 2005, 05:09 PM (17:09)
This is HARD work, know that?

(Am sorry - but I’m grinning now - both inside and outside as I recall so wonderful memories of this man of God.)

Please note that he’s removed his sweater and is now carefully checking his spieling.

8-)

Charlene Clevenger
19th November 2005, 05:11 PM (17:11)
That's so great that he was willing to learn.

My Dad still refuses to send emails. His new wife has a computer and email, but, as far as I know he doesn't even try to learn. He says it's easier to pick up the phone. He might change his mind one of these days. He has a hard time finding us at home when he calls.

Nelson Bradford
19th November 2005, 05:13 PM (17:13)
Here he is applauding - not himself, for he was a very humble man - but just that it worked - he had, in fact, sent an E-mail to the people he loved the most.

His family.

BTW, did I keep his E-mails?

Do birds fly?

Now, a confession. Ever so often I get discouraged over something - don’t you?

And then I just go into my “DAD” file and look at these three pictures and for some reason I am encouraged to keep on keeping on.

I am one very blessed dude!

Nelson

Ps - Isn’t God good?!

Joel Merrill
19th November 2005, 07:59 PM (19:59)
That is SO COOL :basic01 I'm not only glad that he was willing to learn, I'm glad he was able to learn. A lot of people's minds slow down at that age and it is hard to learn new things. My Dad can't dial a long distance phone number anymore.

I am a two finger typer by the way. I have a cut on the end of my left pointer finger and hurts to type but I'm tough and I can handle it :basic02

Joel

Carol Lombard
19th November 2005, 08:05 PM (20:05)
I love it, Nelson.

You know, every once in a while I scold my Dad for leaving me because I need him to help with something or I have question that I know he can answer. ( My Dad died 2 years ago - and only had an 8th grade education - but he was one of the smartest men I've ever known!!)

Carol

Hans Deventer
20th November 2005, 09:05 AM (09:05)
Several weeks ago - or less - Hans mentioned some pictures I posted quite some time ago of my godly father, H. P. Bradford who left us in April of 2002 to meet my Dear Mother in heaven and the Jesus he had served for more than 70 years.

This was the picture I've had on my wall at the office for quite some time. People often asked who this man was and I explained that if I ever get to be 90, I want to be like him, still learning new things.

Judy Hamilton
20th November 2005, 09:54 AM (09:54)
Good morning Nelson

This post has warmed my heart this day

and you young un's on naznet wonder how this senior citizen can leave the comforts of home to explore the scary wide wide world??

it is thanks to people as your dad that shout a soft can do!!!

and we are inspired to not make our comfort zone a rut that becomes a premature grave

again thanks for the affirmation that the senior years hold the possibility to be the most interesting times of our lives

Judy