Hand In Hand

photoMy wife teases me that, with both of our children away at sleepaway camp, I’ll have nothing to share in my weekly Editor’s Note for seven weeks. And I, of course, then tease her about needing to turn the focus of this column to our marriage. But not quite yet. This week my son unknowingly gave me such a good parting gift that I think it’s worth sharing.

My children, now 15 and 11, both go to the same sleepaway camp (Crane Lake) in the Berkshires. We drive up to the area as a family on Sunday, usually stay over at this lovely inn (Seven Hills Inn), whose affordable cottages are the steal of the Berkshires, and then head over to the camp on Monday morning. When we travel as a family, it usually ends up that my son, Adam, and I share one bed, and my wife, Rebecca, and daughter, Elena, share the other. Historically, I was the one who lost the largest amount of sleep in this arrangement because when he was younger, Adam was a very fitful sleeper, complete with rolls and kicks and sheet-hogging.

But he’s mellowed with age and last Sunday night he largely stayed to his side of the bed. There was one moment though when, in his sleep, he turned toward me and slipped his hand in mine. The feeling may have woken me, but I didn’t mind: Having our hands together like that was so resonant of earlier years and the sweetest moments of father-son connection.

It occurred to me that even now, and probably forever, I will always love when one of my children holds hands with me.

Eric Messinger is the editor of  New York Family. He can be reached at [email protected]

 

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Asphalt Green

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Asphalt Green’s high-quality sports programs start at 4 months old. Two beautiful facilities in vibrant Manhattan neighborhoods provide the optimal space for children to learn the fundamentals, play for leisure, or compete at the highest level.<br />As the leading sports and fitness facility in Manhattan, Asphalt Green’s never-before- seen training methods focus on improving your mental and physical game. Whether participating in swim, soccer, flag football, martial arts, basketball, baseball, tennis, or volleyball, coaches instill values that set athletes up for success in life and bring out their full potential in sports.</span></p>

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

<p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;" data-sheets-value="{" data-sheets-userformat="{">Looking for something to do with the kids in New York City that is fun, exciting, and educational? The Intrepid Museum offers family-friendly activities and programs all year long that keep children engaged, entertained, and curious about history and science. Fun rain or shine, the Museum offers both indoor and outdoor interactive exhibits and activities. With so many things to do and see, you’ll never hear “I’m bored,” when you climb aboard Intrepid. A non-profit, educational institution featuring the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided missile submarine.<br /></span></p>

Cucu's PlayHouse

<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">Interactive, live-streaming music and movement class in Spanish for babies, toddlers and preschoolers!<br />Join us every day from Monday through Saturday at 1:30 pm EST to sing, dance and play together while learning Spanish from your home.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"> </div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;">This class is part of a Spanish Immersion Program where your child will be introduced to basic concepts like the animals, colors, numbers and letters. All of these through the universal language of Music. Each session is fun, interactive and engaging.<br />A selection of Children Songs in Spanish guides the class from start to finish. Activities are related to the lyrics, in order to familiarize the children with the words and their meanings. Some of the songs encourage the children to dance. Nilda uses puppets, musical instruments, and props to teach children basic vocabulary through action and interaction, rather than through translation.</div> <div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: #ffffff;"><br />The classes are streamed on Zoom's webinar platform. Participants (children, parents, nannies) are able to join the video from their homes and interact with us in real-time, it is a fun and engaging experience.</div>