Community Chat

[Iwantcoffee]

Thank you for this enjoyable post about Gilbert, Oznell.

"Dressing well is a form of good manners." Tom Ford

[occasionalrain]

The best parents allow their child be who they are. They support their child's interests not push theirs onto their child.

[RetRN]

Looks like a great kid. I'm sure he will grow up to be independent and successful. He will follow his heart and not give in to peer pressure.

[Sooner]

I could be wrong, but my guess is that he will not grow up around other children and participating in their world along with them, and therefore will find it difficult in life to understand people and adapt to what is going on around you.  You need that very much to grow up along other children.  No kid should be an adult at 5.  

I can speak to this with authority.  I grew up in an adult world, and life has always been difficult for me because of that.  I can read people like a book--because I wasn't socialized with kids but adults.  But sometimes it is difficult for me.  Being independent isn't.  I fear very very much for this child.  

[just bee]

I'd really like to see this kid's penmanship.

[LavernLuvsShoes]

This really made me smile - What an interesting young man!!!

He's definitely going places - Bless his heart! 

[KBEANS]

Gilbert is not that unique. He looks like my Uncle Charlie and  a lot of hipsters. They're a dime a dozen in Brooklyn.

Wake up Gilbert...it's the 90's ! 😂

[Oznell]

@on the bay,  I love your analysis, and believe it to be the correct one: 

                  ---- @on the bay

That is so wise, and humane.  Well said.  Anyone who saw the video of him, I believe, would come to the same conclusion.  He seems to be one of those kids who early on found things that he thoroughly enjoys, and does so with intelligence and passion.

I also wondered, like some posters, if the decision to home school in his case, might be related to bullying of him by some kids.  Esp. since his brother is NOT home schooled.

But who knows?  While he is a genial sort, he doesn't in the least strike me as a shrinking violet.  Remember that lethal walking stick, and his vintage artillery shells, ha.  

Also noticed that his room has bookcases full of books, and interesting vintage art.  He may have many interests, and some of them may be athletic, and some may be highly social. Even high IQ enthusiasts of various kinds can be more than one thing...  

[Oznell]

Oh, @Judaline ,  you know I enjoyed your suppositions about exposure to old movies!

Do you know who this little Gilbert reminded me of in his retro suit ?  Remember the loving father in the 1945 flick, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"?  He was memorably played by James Dunn, a very intuitive actor with a film presence that was both jaunty and poignant: