Report from Berkeley: An Alden Update

A few days ago, I started getting a cough, tiredness and some aches and pains.  They have not left me. So, after some prodding by Jean and Zac, I called up the Kaiser Advice Nurse service today to get their recommendation for over-the-counter cough medicine.

After the nurse went through the usual questions, I got that pharmaceutical recommendation.  I also asked her what she would suggest I do to protect my 8-and-a-half-month grandson from my infection.

“Most of the day I just sit down on the floor and play with him,” I start. “And his cheeks are basically irresistible. Do I really need to stay away from kissing them?”

Her response was that I should probably wear a mask. “But I totally understand,” she said with both sympathy and a healthy dose of fellow traveler. “There is nothing better in the world than playing with your grandchildren.  I have two of my own.  It makes me perfectly happy.”

And of course, she is right. Jean and I are finishing up our first month of caring for our gorgeous, fun, adorable grandson, Alden Antolept Sung Farber. Our set up is sweet.  Alden, and his parents Zac and Vicky, live literally next door.  We are renting an Airbnb house adjacent to theirs for 6 weeks. We take care of him Monday through Wednesday from 8 to 5:15, and then other times when the parents could use a break or when Daniel and Jean just miss the little fella and have to get our hugs in.  Zac and Vicky get to work full time, trading off Thursdays and Fridays between them, and we get to take side trips and other adventures with friends and family on  our “days off.”

We give those friends and family a choice.  Do you want to hang with us and Alden… then come Monday through Wednesday.  Do you want us to visit with you elsewhere? The other days of the week are available.

Pictures? You want pictures?  Of course I’m going to give you pictures. But the shots don’t capture the most powerful realities.  When Alden starts “climbing Saba (my chosen Aramaic name for Grandfather)”, he and I have staring contests with each other.  Then he starts sucking on an Alden-approved shirt zipper of mine with a red string end, and… and… I am blissed out with complete joy.

The term “innocence” doesn’t quite capture what is so special about his age. He has no guile.  He has no hidden agenda. When he is hungry, he wants to eat. He chugs down formula until he is sated.  He either likes or doesn’t like new foods (sweet potato is a big hit.) When his diaper is poopy, he wants it cleaned.  When he is tired, he gets squirrely and needs a nap.  When you make goofy faces at him, he likes to laugh. And he is relentlessly curious about everything in his world. When in a stroller, his eyes are riveted on the plants and animals and clouds and the splendors of creation that constantly evolve as we roll on.

And when we haven’t seen each other for awhile and then he sees my face and a smile breaks out.., well, there isn’t anything better. 

OK… enough of that narrative… let’s get to the real treats:

A trip to San Francisco included a visit to a craft market, lunch at the Buena Vista Restaurant with world class Irish coffee, touring the Asian Art Museum, and vistas from Fisherman’s Terminal and Fort Mason.

According to Zac, the higher up you raise him the happier he is. Here’s positive evidence.

At the Asian Art Museum where there was an exhibit on the Korean “New Wave.” They gave folks the option for a silly photo. Here are three generations of Farbers.

Babies like being boxed in!

Nothing better than being a source of nourishment.

Tot learning and play time at the Albany Library. Books to read, songs to sing, and toys to grab and chew, every Tuesday at noon.

Seriously… those cheeks are irresistable.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOkvEN4BF2JDr9PKMdNKsO5EGQnhYDzM3eY3NDw

https://cvws.icloud-content.com/S/AYkvmykZ5T7Mz0ne0GVijBdp3DHY/VID_20241120_112221755.mp4?o=ArQ5iwmOBbD_Mt-sqgqoV0ovTaOkkWSd8jaMLSl4fVhe&v=1&z=https%3A%2F%2Fp156-content.icloud.com%3A443&x=1&a=CAogU7Gq06wFqvWNCm2g1QwIlZUW16nvxdnxOhgR-V2BfiUSZRCOr-DfvDIYjsbz5LwyIgEAUgRp3DHYaiVhf1K8llPE3dcbxj_mbQsP95M6CBrFNUlDNxLc6slqw69Cgdo2ciU3cQv3Wcg9YMWTHxQbeank7640WmyG9F4jEd0jBiZsO2GbEAWG&e=1734304654&r=f35c6f53-91f4-43f9-a7bb-10b9612ea3e2-1&s=om7efCN90A_fQub7Kz1SsPkbFhA&chrome_unique=634128172

Not sure you all can see this video link. Hope you can.