Sympathy Soothing Tout Lines?

[Tate]

Too bad the May company isn't still in business, you could get your brother a gift card good for $1.98.

You might be able to find something from the May company on ebay, like a promotional pen with "The May Company" printed on it.

Tate

[scottp]

Every so often I run across a necktie with a May Co. label, in a thrift store... but, I'm in southern California, and I do look at a lot of ties, since catching "the fever" about a year ago!

[Steve Smith]

I DID give him a golf ball one year.
I wonder where I could get a celioid golf tee.
Maybe a "can of ..."
He plays the guitar - a "G" string would be okay.
I was thinking a coat hanger would be in the same spirt.

[Yhtapmys]

I DID give him a golf ball one year.
I wonder where I could get a celioid golf tee.
Maybe a "can of ..."
He plays the guitar - a "G" string would be okay.
I was thinking a coat hanger would be in the same spirt.

I think getting a mouse trap and writing "Gopher" on it would work.

Yhtapmys

[Tate]

Steve,

It's two weeks until Christmas. What did you decide to get your brother? And be sure to post what he got you.

Tate

[Steve Smith]

I couldn’t pull together a label that looked good enough so I took the easy way out and gave him “Can Of”.
He loved it.
Afterward I showed him this post/topic and he was delighted.

I must admit I’ve been using his last gift and smile every time I pick it up … a pencil.

He was in the hospital a few weeks ago – I brought him an “arrangement” and a “card”.
The “arrangement” was an empty “can of” with a stick duct-taped in the center and magnolia leaves duct-taped to the end somewhat resembling a flower. (he had planted that Magnolia 40 years ago)
The “card” was a five of diamonds with get well soon written on it.
He was beaming.

Wheeeeeeeeeeeee =)

(Thinking of taking a photo of my Acme Plaza Hotel towel and metal tipped shoelaces and maybe posting it …)

[Steve Smith]

Ahoy all …
My last birthday gift was a piece of paper ripped out of a small pocket sized spiral-bound note pad.
It still had the rough tag-ends hanging off it and had an “erased” grocery list still barely visible on one side.
It was presented as “going well with my last gift”.
… I love my brother...

Well Christmas time came up … everyone gathered over here this time … and I was ready for him.
I said “Merry Christmas brother” and handed him a small bracelet sized jewelry box.
He started grinning straight-away.
He unwrapped it – removed the lid – pulled back the tissue-paper – there was the piece of paper he’d given me for me birthday.
I had written on it “Re-gifting - Times Two!”
Under the piece of paper was a miniature zip-lock baggie full of pencil shavings and what was left of the eraser end.
It was VERY well received … ‘twas a very Merry Christmas = )

Hope you guys don't mind me sharing this stuff - we really are having a good time with it.
plus it IS all done in the spirit of Mr. Benny.
… wondering ... what’s next?

Best to all,

[jbmfc]

I really enjoy reading these gift exchanges with your brother, Steve. I love the pencil shavings idea. Perfect for a roaring fire on a cold winters night.

[Steve Smith]

.
Time for another installment of … “Gifts From Brother Bruce”.

Our story opens on my birthday this past summer. It was a sunny morning and I was on the highway headed north with a friend to have a look at an old pinball machine someone was trying to sell.

While we were on the way my mobile phone rang. It was my father with birthday wishes.

Shortly the phone rang again. This time it was my sister doing the same thing but singing that last line “ H.B.D. tooo yooouuuuu”

NOT singing the whole song is something we three siblings started doing years ago (also something we’re grateful for).

After she hung up I said to my friend “Next call should be Brother”.

We drove and chatted for about another twenty minuets - there it is … “Ring – Ring” - I answered the phone.

It was bother Bruce - singing the last line … then he says “Happy birthday brother”.

I replied “Thank you kind sir”

He said “You’re welcome” (chuckled a little) and says “Um … I wanted you to know I got you a card …
... I need you to send me a self addressed stamped envelope”.


I was out of control.

I haven’t laughed so long in I can’t remember when … couldn’t speak – just laugh – and laugh – and laugh … try to breath and laugh some more. It took minuets for me to calm down enough to tell my friend … then we BOTH busted out laughing again.

It was crazy good and true perfection …

If only "I’D" thought of that - after those metal tipped shoelaces – I might have been "close" to getting even.
Now I have no chance … will never get even close … (and wouldn’t change it for the world either).

He did okay this Christmas too … but that’ll have to wait.

So until next time – Good night folks.

[jbmfc]

That's just brilliant.

[Mister Kitzel]

There is a challenge in trying to figure out how to get my friends with a Jack Benny related Christmas gift next year. Shoelaces are cheap. Gopher traps are a little pricey. Next year it might be dates because those water colors and oil paints are expenisve.

I do leathercraft. It might be fun to make wallets that have $1.98 stamped into them.

[Steve Smith]

My life long best friend .. Brother Bruce died Monday April 30.
He was listening to Jack's shows until the end.

My grief is deep and will be with me until I join him again.