Dad and I often reminisced about when his kids, including me, were little.
After church, he would go to the best Jewish deli and get bagels, bialies, lox, cream cheese, and the best French light donuts. Everyone else liked chocolate icing. I liked vanilla icing so never had to fight for mine (probably learned to like it from birth in preemptory self-defense).
Afterwards, we’d go for a drive to some historic place in downtown Philadelphia. I remember Society Hill with the houses from pre-American Revolution and the Swedish church and cemetery.
On the way home, we’d stop and feed the horses in Fairmount Park some sugar. That was fun.
We often drove in his 1949 Cadillac convertible. When we were very young – we all fit in the back seat, while Mom and he looked elegant in their individual styles of dress. We were dressed well too, I would be in pretty dress, white socks, Mary Janes and white gloves. My brothers wore suits and ties and hats, all looking good.
We went to plays and musicals often. Afterwards, he would take us to the ice cream parlor down on I think 2nd street. We’d get home late. I would be asleep so Dad would carry me from the car to my room for Mom to help me change into pajamas. I remember his strong arms picking me up as I, half asleep, felt safe and loved.
In Fairmount Park, until it became unsafe, Dad would take us sledding. I’d ride on his back and almost go flying when we went over the one huge bump at the bottom. What fun we had.
I’m lucky I got many chances, and took them, to thank Dad for all he did for and with us.
While he worked hard, he always came home for dinner. He would ask each of us about our day. Mom would always burn the rolls. On Sundays we would go out to dinner.
At first it was Horn & Hardart’s – https://philly.curbed.com/2012/6/25/10358406/philly-horn-hardart-reminiscences
They had those old-fashioned (now) cubbyholes with glass on them. One would select what one wanted, put a nickel in, open the door. Very simple. Very nutritional. No fat.
Then when they went out of business, we went to IHOP.
I never remember my brothers or me ever misbehaving in a restaurant. If we were tired, we were allowed to rest our head on the back of the chair and go to sleep.