You're my angel at the end of the rainbow
If there was anyone in that family who could teach a masterclass in infinite patience and trust, it was Charles J. Crusher. The old patriarch had retired long ago, passing the business responsibilities to his eldest son, and now he watched expectantly as life unfolded for everyone. He knew that sooner or later, Daniel would end up taking his place as the head of the family.
Although Charles was the founding pillar, Camila was the base on which that pillar stood and rose. He saw the reflection of both in Deanna and her son; how his daughter-in-law strengthened their love and formed a new family. He knew it the moment he met her, that this young woman with a determined but warm gaze would be Daniel’s salvation and would chase away his sadness. He was not mistaken; he saw how Deanna’s innate generosity not only healed the wounds of his son's past but also gave him a reason to move forward, to build something beyond business and material success.
How could he know? Because Deanna had something fundamental: generosity. And, as strange and crazy as it might sound, Leonard had it too. Generosity is expressed in many ways. It’s not just about making grand gestures or giving material things, but about being willing to share what one has: time, effort, emotions, and sometimes, even one’s own dreams and aspirations.
The day Leonard asked for his daughter's hand in marriage, Charles saw him like never before: with fear. They had clashed many times while Charles was still running the company; he knew all his weapons and strengths, as well as all his flaws. But Leonard had left that huge house, which had been in the family for generations, to move to the city, close to Susan. He was always looking for ways to solve her problems, even when she could handle them herself. Charles constantly heard him declaring his love, and the smiles on his little girl’s face grew enormous. In his exaggerated and even vulgar way, Leonard gave her those little things that all the money in the world couldn’t buy. His gestures weren’t always conventional, but there was an authenticity in him and a willingness to give his best to make her happy.
And if Charles looked in the other direction, his other daughter-in-law had that same characteristic. Life was giving him, through his children, the satisfaction of knowing and feeling that the work he and Camila had done to build this family was bearing fruit.
He had often mentioned it to his stubborn wife: “All we parents want for our children is for them to be happy, dear.” Being successful, having degrees, amassing fortunes; none of that compares to them feeling fulfilled and happy, first with themselves and then with whoever accompanies them.
“We’ve done well, dear,” he said aloud.
Camila looked at him, puzzled. They had been in silence, and then suddenly that. But she was his wife after all, and she only needed to look at him a little to understand.
“Of course, we’ve done well. Our children are wonderful.”
“And the grandchildren…”
“That’s the best part,” she confessed.
“Ethan, Naomi, Jonathan, Emma, Ryan, and the two girls… So many grandchildren.”
“So many grandchildren, Charles. That’s how we envisioned it when we got married, remember? A big family, surrounded by all of them until we’re old.”
“We achieved that too.”
“Of course!”
“I only regret one thing…” he said, a bit saddened.
“What?”
“We never went on that cruise, and I never saw you in your blue swimsuit, the one that looks so good on you.”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Charles! You can’t have a decent conversation! You’re senile!”
“But you love me…” he assured her confidently.
“Of course, I love you, you old senile man.”
As children, we don’t see it right away, we don’t know it, or we ignore it; then life happens to us; problems happen, adversities and difficulties happen, and we fall flat on our faces. And two things can happen at that moment: either we lift our heads, shake off the dust, and get back on our feet; or we lift our heads, shake off the dust, and get back on our feet holding our parents’ hands.
Daniel, Susan, and Harry knew that well: Charles and Camila never stopped being there for them, even when they were adults, when they started their own lives and families, or when their children were born. And they would continue to be there until the very end.
They had taught them about generosity: not by indulging whims like Leonard did with his daughters, but by accompanying and supporting them along the way, sometimes stepping into the fray and standing firm like Charles, and sometimes providing strength with words like Camila. With all the list of flaws that any person can have, making the mistakes that anyone can make; but never abandoning the beautiful family they had.