A shining, shimmering, splendid childhood

Our granddaughters are enjoying a shining, shimmering, splendid childhood.

They live in a an enviable world of magic — just blocks away from the Turtleback Zoo.

From their house on a New Jersey hill, they get a queen’s eye view of this old world — to the right, a playground with squeaky swings and slippery slides, to the left a neighborhood full of kids and dogs, and straight ahead the Manhattan skyline.

This week, our oldest little bagel, Margo, rode her dad’s generous shoulders through Times Square to her first Broadway Show.

It was a Whole New World for her and, dressed in her Halloween genie costume, she loved every unbelievable sight.

Best of all, she and her dad got to see the irrepressible Sherri Shepherd as the Genie in the blockbuster hit Aladdin.

Sherri’s kindness transcends even all that wit, talent and exuberance that makes her a perfect genie. With the pre-show video message she sent Margo and post-show backstage tour she gave them, Sherri treated our little costumed genie like she was the star of the show.

I really can’t stress enough what a bundle of goodness and joy Sherri Shepherd is. We met her when our son Charlie and his wife Tara worked on her eponymous talk show. Though the show ended last year, Sherri’s influence on Charlie and his young family lives on.

Charlie and Margo could not wait for their big night out in Broadway and, as much as they anticipated all those bright lights and glitter, it exceeded their expectations.

“Life changing for both of us,” is how Charlie described their night.

Any grandparent will tell you that the real privilege of our vantage point is seeing the kids we raised all grown up and raising families of their own.

Charlie approaches fatherhood with such gusto, gratitude and love that it’s an indescribable feeling to see him in action.

Thank you to him and to Aladdin’s genie for making all of a three-year old’s wishes come true.

If you have a chance to see Aladdin on Broadway, Charlie and Margo highly recommend that you go, especially during Sherri’s run as the genie, which takes place now through Jan. 3.