06/09/2020
Today would have been my grandfather David’s 91st birthday.
The influence of my grandparents on my life cannot be overestimated, each in their own way. As you can see from these pictures, Grandpa David he had a playful, fun loving side. He knew how to entertain and be the life of the party, he knew how to make people feel welcome and bring people from all walks of life together. He and my grandmother always supported my dreams. In fact they turned their lives upside down for me and my mother, moving to LA from NYC to help care for me when my parents divorced when I was 4. They took me to ballet classes and choir practices. They picked me up after school and made dinner for my mom and I. They attended every play and recital. They helped me with my homework. My grandfather was my father figure. He taught me to type on his old typewriter. He taught me to debate. He taught me to appreciate the arts. I can still remember getting dressed up as a little girl to go on dates to the opera or a musical with my grandpa. They took me on vacations to faraway places with them. They taught me to play cards, have good manners and make conversation.
He was also a ruthless teaser who knew how to get under my skin, even make me cry. Not having had the kind of safety, security and affection he helped provide for me when he was a child, he didn’t always have high emotional intelligence. But as an adult I have realized that in his way he was preparing me to be tough in a tough world that awaited me outside our secure family.
In these days I have thought a lot about the legacy he left our family as an activist who helped build after school programs for poor inner city youth in NYC and who protested the Vietnam war. And the way over the years he took in and supported many people in whom he saw intelligence or talent regardless of their class, gender or color of their skin. Any he loved and championed (and ruthlessly teased) us all regardless!
Happy Birthday to a great man, my Darling Grandfather. ❤️
