My Dearest Eh,
Because of the circumstances beyond my
control, this is the first of your birthdays (and hopefully last)
that we are spending apart. But being apart from you only made me
think once again of all the things that make me love you so much.
We met when you were about fifteen
minutes old. The delivery room only allows so many extras inside, so, while you were born, I ended up in a little visitors lounge trying to calm down your
grandfather - who was making valiant attempts at making huge holes in
the cheep floors of that lounge.
Your mommy didn't want to know in
advance if she was having a little boy or a little girl, so, while
you were swimming inside of her, you were just “Baby” - that is,
till the first sonogram; at which point my dear sister declared that
“Baby” looked like a little alien – and the moniker stuck. So,
you were “Alien”, and then, being a real American, your mommy
shortened it to “Alie”; she also claimed that the sound of your
heartbeat was her favorite techno music. Meanwhile, your aunt (I),
who always enjoyed escaping into her daydreams, for some reason kept
imagining that Alie would be a little girl, and that both of us would
become wonderful friends.
So, after that tiny scare that you gave
us upon your arrival, your Aba came into that room and told us “It's
a girl”; you can't begin to imagine the joy and relief those simple
words brought to us. We all crowded into your mommy's room to meet the newest member of our family. My sister looked exhausted – and
transformed by happiness. In her arms she cradled a tiny bundle;
my first words were “ Oh, my Gd! That's Alie?” You looked red
and wrinkled – in the best traditions of all newborn. You were
sucking your whole fist, and your smart, beautiful eyes kept looking
at all the people around you. And all the people in the room were
forever transformed.
We ended up spending a lot of time
together. I was your first official babysitter – the most neurotic
one you ever had (so far). I made sure you were always very clean –
and did your laundry with almost fanatical precision. I made sure to
circulate all your outfits – and took at least one picture in each
one. I had the precise inventory of all your toys in my head. I
cleaned and emptied your stroller after every excursion outside.
Sometimes I took you to Dr. Sima – and believe me, all those shots
hurt me as much as they did you. You officially became a New Yorker
when you took your first subway ride – and your dear aunt
discovered the exact percentage of jerks riding that subway. Also
thanks to me, you had your first brush with jury duty (but that is a
separate story).
Even after I got an “official” job,
I made sure to spend as much time with your as possible. You were an
ideal baby – good tempered and extremely friendly; you used to
smile at anything remotely resembling a human shape. You were not an
exceptionally fussy eater (although you refused to drink formula
under any circumstances).
It was you who first called me “Papi”.
After you got a bit bigger, we began to
explore the city. Your MacLaren Techno saw more subway cars than any
tourist. We went everywhere – The Met, Central Park, FAO Schwartz,
Times Square, Toys R Us in Times Square, Upper West Side, Upper East
Side, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Columbus Circle, Borders,
Banes and Noble - needless to say, the list is pretty extensive.
Most notable among them was Dylan's Candy Shoppe – in whose
subbasement you took your first unaided steps!! Those steps were duly
witnessed by your mommy, your Papi, largish number of tourists, and
half the floor of Dylan's overpriced, but fantastic merchandise.
It was on those trips when your
presence literally saved me. You see, after surviving 9/11 and the
year following it, Lower Manhattan was something that brought tears
and an overwhelming desire to avoid it as much as possible. But when
I started roaming with you, all of the sudden it was OK to go to
Battery Park City. That park became our favorite destination. Your
company in WFC, by the Famous Bull statue, in Whitehall – it just
leached away pain. I saw you running in Winter Garden, dressed in
your snappy pink outfit from Gymboree and waiving a piece of pastry –
and the horrific picture of that place lying in ruins...it did not
bother me as much. Gd willing, when you get older, I hope you will
understand just how incredibly special that was; how incredibly
special you are, my Eh.
Because, you see, that is not all.
When you were born, we didn't just get a beloved daughter,
granddaughter, and niece – you were the first member of your
mommy's family to be born on American soil; to be born free. Your
ancestors survived it all – virulent anti-Semitism, Muslim and
Christian persecutions, Communists, Nazis, Holocaust...When you
started attending Jewish school – it was beyond triumph for our
family. And when you excelled in your studies, especially Judaic
Studies – we were beyond happy tears. That is how special you and
your younger siblings are, Eh, – we triumphed over all that hatred
and repeated attempts to wipe us out – and we were blessed by the
Almighty with you!
You are beautiful inside and out. You
clearly inherited your mommy's musical and artistic talents – with
Gd help, you will grow to nurture these talents. You are smart and
kind – and you clearly inherited our family's “love” for
homework. You are a great older sister – although you don't always
appreciate your siblings:).
May The Heavenly Father continue to
protect you, your siblings, and your parents; and may He always
bestow His blessings on us all!
Happy Birthday!
I love your curly, fluffy head,
Your Papi.
