this is very sweet and fun: "My parents were able to come see me tell jokes in person for the first time in several years (not counting when I visit them and won’t stop talking), and that was wonderful too!"
Love so many of these gifts! I appreciate that they aren’t just material things.
One of the best I’ve received was at my bachelorette party—my friends presented me with a “binder full of women.” It was a collection of messages of love, advice, etc. from women in my life.
I’ve also received some beautiful handmade gifts from grandparents. My Grandma needlepointed me a tallis bag for my bat mitzvah and later crocheted a beautiful afghan. And my Baba made the most amazing statues out of shells—he made me one of a wedding scene as a wedding gift.
When I was in college, I had a freak accident that left my hand in a cast/ splint for a couple of months, and my girlfriend at the time helped me shave the armpit I couldn't reach well. Seems dumb now, but the inability to do it was really bothering me - I was 21 and had never temporarily lost the use of a hand before, and it punctured my youthful sense of invincibility. Can definitely vouch for having that illusion replaced with the realization that we all depend on each other, and that it's both okay and vital to ask for help when you need it.
(Five years later, I married her. I carried both our children, so I think maybe I've returned the favor and then some?)
My best gift ever: For my 50th birthday, my wife rented out a space, hired some of my favorite DJs, and we invited our closest friends to a club-like event from 2-6 pm - a more reasonable time to listen to music than usual. We had so much fun reliving our club days.
But the best part was afterwards, we retreated to our house for a more intimate (& more quiet) setting. Unbeknownst to me, our then 15 year old son sat with each of my friends and recorded them talking about our friendship. He then presented me the edited video a couple of days later.
It still warms my heart to this day that my son thought to do this, and my friends were so generous with their words.
Reading Josh write lovingly about my favorite musician (Aimee) and one of my other favorite comedians (PFT) is as good as it gets. Also did anyone else read "good at business" and immediately hear it in Kroll's voice?
dear josh,
great piece as always!
this is very sweet and fun: "My parents were able to come see me tell jokes in person for the first time in several years (not counting when I visit them and won’t stop talking), and that was wonderful too!"
so glad! thank you for sharing!
love
myq
Thank you!!!
Classic Gondelman.
Love so many of these gifts! I appreciate that they aren’t just material things.
One of the best I’ve received was at my bachelorette party—my friends presented me with a “binder full of women.” It was a collection of messages of love, advice, etc. from women in my life.
I’ve also received some beautiful handmade gifts from grandparents. My Grandma needlepointed me a tallis bag for my bat mitzvah and later crocheted a beautiful afghan. And my Baba made the most amazing statues out of shells—he made me one of a wedding scene as a wedding gift.
Amazing!!
When I was in college, I had a freak accident that left my hand in a cast/ splint for a couple of months, and my girlfriend at the time helped me shave the armpit I couldn't reach well. Seems dumb now, but the inability to do it was really bothering me - I was 21 and had never temporarily lost the use of a hand before, and it punctured my youthful sense of invincibility. Can definitely vouch for having that illusion replaced with the realization that we all depend on each other, and that it's both okay and vital to ask for help when you need it.
(Five years later, I married her. I carried both our children, so I think maybe I've returned the favor and then some?)
This is so sweet!
My best gift ever: For my 50th birthday, my wife rented out a space, hired some of my favorite DJs, and we invited our closest friends to a club-like event from 2-6 pm - a more reasonable time to listen to music than usual. We had so much fun reliving our club days.
But the best part was afterwards, we retreated to our house for a more intimate (& more quiet) setting. Unbeknownst to me, our then 15 year old son sat with each of my friends and recorded them talking about our friendship. He then presented me the edited video a couple of days later.
It still warms my heart to this day that my son thought to do this, and my friends were so generous with their words.
Oh that's so nice!!
Reading Josh write lovingly about my favorite musician (Aimee) and one of my other favorite comedians (PFT) is as good as it gets. Also did anyone else read "good at business" and immediately hear it in Kroll's voice?
Digger! I love Digger so much.