The Lessons of My Father: Time Waits on No Man

By Theodore Robinson

This book is about my father. How his teachings, principles, and life lived impacted my life. Through his example, I was able to confidently raise two boys without an inkling of self-doubt, stand in the company of any man, unintimidated, and to challenge myself to wrest as much good living out of this life, that personal principles would allow.

I celebrate him and what he has meant to me. This book seeks to challenge you to remember the greatness of your father.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638818762

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Introduction

A Man Is Not Worth His Weight in Salt If He Does Not Take Care of His Children

Always Do Your Best

Be a Man of Your Word

Choose Respect Over Being Liked

Do Unto Others

Don't Be a Follower: Lead

Live Your Truth

Love and Accept Yourself

Never Abort a Child

Never Lie to Yourself

Never Quit

Real Men Cry

Time Waits on No Man

True Love Takes Sacrifice

You Can Be Anything You Want As Long As You're Willing to Work for It

Afterward

Epilogue

About the Author

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The Lessons of My Father

Time Waits on No Man

Theodore Robinson

Copyright © 2022 Theodore Robinson

All rights reserved

First Edition

NEWMAN SPRINGS PUBLISHING

320 Broad Street

Red Bank, NJ 07701

First originally published by Newman Springs Publishing 2022

ISBN 978-1-63881-872-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63881-876-2 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

To Wiley Robinson Sr.—a great man in the life of his family, friends, and children.

Introduction

This book is about my father, but more importantly, it is about my father's impact upon my life. My father was a man whom society would not have thought of as a great man; however, I stand as living proof that he was, not because I am great, but because his impact on my life was great in and upon me.

My father has impacted my approach to life. My approach to friends, his; the person I am to my sons, as well as many, many other areas that, most likely, even I do not realize. With my sons, I didn't spend one minute of concern regarding my ability to raise and care for them. This was not my personal confidence per se, but the confidence I had in my father. It was the confidence that what he taught me about being a father was enough to direct the lives of two young men given to me with a blank slate—a slate I was responsible for writing upon. I am glad to report that they are doing well.

My father also taught me that I was worthy in any group and while addressing any person, particularly any man, because I was man enough.

This book has not been written to raise my father's life to greatness or even to greater heights, but as a celebratory example of the greatness of fathers, most particularly those who society would not regard as great men.

A Man Is Not Worth His Weight in Salt If He Does Not Take Care of His Children

This was a lesson my father was quite clear on: a man who didn't care for the children that he was responsible for bringing into the world wasn't much of a man. He was quite clear on this point and unequivocal. My father had no respect and no use for him.

My father had his first child at the age of eighteen; he took full responsibility for him and assured that he was well taken care of. I met my oldest (half) brother when I was about six, and he quickly became one of my favorite people. (I likely had known him all of my life; however, at the age of six began our relationship.) My father and he seemed to have a relationship that no other child in the family had. It was not a better relationship, but a special relationship, one that seemed to be of mutual admiration. They clearly were as excited as anyone that they were connected to each other. It was amazing to behold. It was probably born out of the fact that my brother knew my father could have shirked his responsibility, but didn't, and having not done so showed a young child what a loving father was like, even if he was not with the child's mother. I think my brother knew he was loved from the day of his birth, by his father.

My father took care of his family, of course, children included. He was a single breadwinner. My mother