PatRobertson.com - My father named me after a cousin who had been his college roommate, Marion Gordon. My older brother, Willis Robertson, Jr., when he was about six years old, delighted in patting his little hands on his baby brother's chubby cheeks while he delightedly said "pat, pat, pat" over and over. My parents must have thought this was cute, so they made "Pat" my nickname. I was obviously defenseless to protest "Pat," but in later life I felt that "Marion" sounded a touch effeminate and "M. Gordon" sounded affected, so I continued to be Pat.

Since my proper name is Marion Gordon Robertson, I am amused when some well-meaning soul brings me a message purporting to be from God, which begins, "My son, Patrick."