Community Chat

[on the bay]

@Oznell,

 Thank you That was nice of you to say

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn was one of my mother's favorite stories. She read the book to me and my sister when we were young.

I don't remember watching the movie but even if I did, I want to watch it again.

[AuntG]

He certainly marches to the beat of a different drummer. No harm done. I think he's pretty special.

[addtothis]

Yes!!!!!  I saw this yesterday on YouTube and he truly is remarkable and wow, intelligent!!!!   His parents must be so proud to have him as their son.  I bet his IQ is at least 160 or above!!!!  

[addtothis]

Please remember his parents are truly into collecting antiques and this may have influenced him in his decision to marvel in this direction.  Good for him!!!!!

[SportyShorty07]

     It will be interesting to see how his sense of style pans out as he ages.  I hope that we can see a follow up video on Gilbert in a few years.  I think that his love for vintage style and antiques is influenced by his parents.  His style is kind of limiting though in a sense that its is very formal and probably requires a lot of dry cleaning and ironing. 

    I wonder if he'll find a way to modernize his sense of style or mix some of the clothing from the past with new fashion styles.  What happens when he wants to lift weights at the gym or dress casually? Does he wear sweat pants or jeans and a t shirt? Sneakers? His particular decade of fashion is probably expensive and very hard to find online.  I'm glad that he's exploring self expression and style.  I wish him well 🙂. 

[Oznell]

@on the bay ,  oh, I hope you do get to see the film.  As you know from the book, parts of it are very sad. And the movie really explores the tragedy that befalls the family in a way that is profound.  It's a tribute to the high level of acting by all concerned, that the depth of feeling resonates the way that it does.

@addtothis ,  agreed, you have the same response that I had in seeing that video!

@SportyShorty07 ,  yes, it would be so interesting to see how Gilbert's partiality to retro looks would evolve as he grows up.  He might be like Diane Keaton or Tom Wolfe, and always have a soft spot for them, but incorporate them more sparingly into his wardrobe.  Or,  he might stay more vintage.  I think he's strong-minded enough to do that, if he remains so inclined.

[SportyShorty07]

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@Oznell wrote:

@SportyShorty07 ,  yes, it would be so interesting to see how Gilbert's partiality to retro looks would evolve as he grows up.  He might be like Diane Keaton or Tom Wolfe, and always have a soft spot for them, but incorporate them more sparingly into his wardrobe.  Or,  he might stay more vintage.  I think he's strong-minded enough to do that, if he remains so inclined.

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@Oznell  I also hope that we can see more of Gilbert's outfits over the years! He should start a fashion Tik Tok or Instagram when he's old enough to sign up for social media accounts. It will be very interesting to see how his style changes or evolves over the years- he might want to incorporate the vintage style into his looks with little accents here and there rather than wearing an entire original outfit from the 1920's or 1930's when he gets older.  I bet he'll end up going to fashion design school if he keeps this love for fashion throughout his youth.   

[Judaline]

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@Oznell wrote:

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:

  

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@Oznell  Really? Gosh, I don't see/feel it at all. (boy that was a great movie/book wasn't it?)

[Oznell]

Yes, @Judaline ,  I thought he physically resembled a youthful version of James Dunn, helped along by the retro clothes.  But, every eye is different-- I showed Gilbert's picture to my husband, who thought he was cool and somehow reminded him of Winston Churchill....  ?   So go figure... 

[Trinity11]

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@Sooner wrote:

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.  

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He's very gifted intellectually and a "sponge" for his parents interests. My husband had a similar upbringing and was gifted. He watched the video and concluded exactly your same thoughts @Sooner .