I just put my father on a plane back to Chicago. He was here this weekend for a wedding and to meet his new grandson for the first time. As you can see from the above photo, it was a real love affair between the two of them. Although my father has been blind for the past ten years, he was able to interact with Charlie at length and sing to him in Spanish, Hebrew, and Yiddish. He also told many of his off-color jokes while holding Charlie, and I look forward to the day when Charlie will be able to fully appreciate my father’s unique talents for accents and storytelling. I definitely see a resemblance between Charlie and my 77-year-old dad and yet marvel at their very different lives. I love hearing stories of my dad’s childhood even though they are usually pretty sad. He had no father, his mother was mentally ill, and they were often homeless on the streets of Chicago. When my dad was 14, his mother was permanently institutionalized. And yet he overcame all that misery, pulled himself up by his bootstraps, and became one of the most loving dads since Robert Young.
This weekend we attended the wedding of a
daughter of my father’s oldest friend, the brilliant writer Sam Bobrick. Their
friendship has lasted over 70 years and, as far as I’m concerned, is the model
for all friendships, past, present, or future. You’ve never seen two people
love each other more or be more supportive of each other through two lifetimes
of tragedies, crises, and good times. Sam and his wife Julie are two of the
nicest people on the planet. Sam was friends with Kendall’s late father and
Kendall and I met at Sam’s first daughter’s wedding just over twenty years ago.
Watching my dad with Charlie was fantastic and heartwarming, but it also made me ache for my mother who would be absolutely gaga for him. My mom was such a great Bubbie and it makes me sad that only Leah and my nephew Spencer can remember her and even they were very young when she was died in 1999. But I have to believe that my nephew Sammy and Charlie have a connection to her that defies the physical plane. I also like to imagine our other son Oliver firmly entrenched in my mother’s loving arms wherever they are. I know she is taking care of him on some level.
We’ve been home from the hospital for two weeks now. Dare I risk the wrath of my old friend, the Evil Eye, by saying that we are loving every second of Life with Charlie? Maybe all babies should start their lives with five months in the hospital and six major surgeries, it seems to have done wonders to make Charlie one of the most good-natured babies I’ve ever known. After being poked and prodded and intubated and IVed and cut open over and over again, little seems to faze him now. He is so fun to be around and he spreads his joy to everyone in his presence.
I am so behind in thanking the legions of people who have sent Charlie their good wishes as well as some amazing gifts including a wardrobe of handmade clothes that would make Valentino jealous (fashion show to come in future posts). What would we have done without the support of so many people during this crazy year—people we already knew and loved as well as total strangers who became interested in Charlie and followed his story over the months. These people don’t feel like strangers anymore and all are welcome chez Charles whenever they are in Los Angeles.
Here’s a small sampling of the people our son the social butterfly has taken a shine to in his early life:
Way to go.
Posted by: david | October 12, 2009 at 02:25 PM
Such a pleasure through and through...
xoxo to all!
Fake Grandma
Posted by: Elaine Soloway | October 12, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Love the entire video, but the last shot of Leah and Charlie is wonderful.
Posted by: Maria Sosa | October 12, 2009 at 02:38 PM
SO sweet!
Posted by: Barbara | October 12, 2009 at 04:00 PM
Danny, you've got to stop making me cry. Seriously.
Posted by: Michele | October 12, 2009 at 04:02 PM
In that photo it looks like Charlie just understood his very first off-color joke! I loved the video too.
Posted by: Jeff | October 12, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Just the perfect blendship...
Posted by: Erica M | October 12, 2009 at 04:47 PM
I didn't cry until the very end - that moment with Leah pushed me over the edge. So great to see your Dad with Charlie and also to see Kendall, with her beautiful smiling face.
Posted by: Shari | October 12, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Thanks for answering the question plaguing me today--Whassup with Danny & Charlie & the gang?
Delighted to see the snuggle fest!
Amitiés,
Posted by: La Framéricaine | October 12, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Beautiful post. i so want to leave work right now and go get my little boy and squeeze him to bits.
K x
Posted by: Kimberley | October 12, 2009 at 04:59 PM
The video was sweet, really sweet. Glad to see that our boy is doing so well. Thanks.
Gordon
Posted by: Gordon | October 12, 2009 at 05:20 PM
Beautiful boy!
Posted by: mem | October 12, 2009 at 05:54 PM
When can I babysit? I won't let any boys come over, I promise.
Posted by: Leslie | October 12, 2009 at 05:59 PM
What a great video! It made my day.
Love,
Julie
Posted by: Julie R. | October 12, 2009 at 06:31 PM
lovely . . . sending love to all of you
Posted by: Amadaes | October 12, 2009 at 08:02 PM
What a beautiful boy!
Posted by: Shannon | October 12, 2009 at 08:37 PM
sooo cute he is . and it was great to see your dad holding him. wow sam bobrick havent heard that name in decades!!!
keep up the great pics and videos
Posted by: debbie rose galo | October 12, 2009 at 09:10 PM
after a VERY long discussion with one of my friends who is one of my biggest supporters, we both decided Charlie is one heck of a boy and is going to live a long and prosperous life. and we would like to send him something special. email me personally please if you aren't scared of what we might send. it's a happy, feel-good box if you will.
and if you want to send your little man my way for a weekend, i for sure wouldn't mind.
i'm so very happy for you guys.
Posted by: gorillabuns | October 12, 2009 at 09:18 PM
Makes me happy to see so much happiness spreading with that little boy of yours.Just cannot wait till I ever get out there to see you all in person.
Posted by: Margie | October 12, 2009 at 09:48 PM
Just chiming in to say I'm absolutely gaga.
Posted by: sweetsalty kate | October 12, 2009 at 11:02 PM
Wonderful video. I'm sure the love of all these people has helped Charlie in his journey thus far and will continue to guide him. Just great that your dad finally got to meet his grandson.
Posted by: Pam G | October 13, 2009 at 04:09 AM
What a sweet post. I'm so glad your dad and Charlie got to finally meet. That top photo is priceless.
Posted by: churlita | October 13, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Such a touching post about your Dad with his Grandson. And Charlie continues to look more and more healthy and BIG every post! Macey and I watched the video together and she kept saying "dada". Apparently we need to work on "baby" next :)
Posted by: Lisa D | October 13, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Leah with her baby brother - precious!!! Sometimes I wish my younger brother was still a baby, tell her to really enjoy him.
Posted by: Ana | October 13, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Bravo Bravo...standing ovation. xoxo
Posted by: esther fox | October 13, 2009 at 10:11 PM
What a joy to read this post, to see the adorable photo of Charlie and your father, and to view the happy video! I wish you and your family so much continued nachas!!
Posted by: Elise | October 14, 2009 at 04:50 AM
very cute
Posted by: jeff | October 14, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Just caught up on your recent news after being back east for a while and am so happy things are going well re Charlie. He gets cuter every time I see pictures of him. Charlie might like to know Gramma Marilyn shook her lulav at the American Arts and Crafts Museum (which is a must see) in New York and had the same experience you did Danny. It brought me back to my childhood when we did it, but this time with the Chabadniks made it special. I know Charlie will remember his first time as well.
Keep the good news coming and hope to see you guys soon.
Love,
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn Molnar | October 14, 2009 at 03:40 PM
Your father's story is humbling. It's truly amazing to learn what people have endured. I imagine it's difficult living so far away from him.
Charlie looks FANTASTIC in the video! His thighs are bubblicious. I'm so glad he's doing well and that he's loved by so many people. He's a beautiful baby. You're so blessed!
Posted by: Chris | October 15, 2009 at 01:51 AM
Danny,
Charlie looks exactly like your dad! We are in Israel and are bringing Charlie back gifts from the Land of Milk and Honey. We miss you but finally got internet access so at least I could see Jew Eat Yet. You probably have lots of fans in Israel.We are at a "health farm" lots of women in mumus eating sesame encrusted high-fat dairy items. Ideas of health are apparently a little different here. Gary adapts perfectly to every new environment and I am going a little crazy.
Posted by: deborah | October 15, 2009 at 02:01 AM
I keep forgetting to watch the video at home because at work, nothing works but I do love that picture of your dad and Charlie. It's always fun to read your blogs.
Posted by: Judy | October 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM
i am the jewish grandmother from estero fl. who got hooked on your web from my son who is a wilco fan...i can't believe how wonderful charlie is doing..he is a beautiful boy...seeing your dad with him brought tears to my eyes as so many of your other blogs did...i feel like i know your family...the picture of leah and charlie was also a tearjerker...i can only wish charlie a long and healthy life...
marjorie d.
Posted by: marjorie d. | October 18, 2009 at 05:46 PM
He is just too cute and that picture with your dad is absolutely precious.
I am so glad that your sweet and handsome boy is now home!
More pictures please!!!
Posted by: Melissa in TN | October 18, 2009 at 10:13 PM
Brilliant. The ending, big sister and little brother, is the sweetest thing ever.
Posted by: Heather | October 19, 2009 at 07:38 AM