When I set out to learn about my mother's bridge club, the Jewish octogenarians behind the matching outfits and accessories, I never expected to fall in love with them. This is the story of the ladies, their game, their gen, and the ragged path that led me back to my mother.
Guys! A package arrived today. Inside was a copy of The Bridge Ladies (UK edition, ahem) specially stamped with one of the world’s most illustrious booksellers logos: Shakespeare and Co, Paris. It was sent to me by one you incredibly beautiful mental patients who hang out here at The Lerner Institute for the Chemically Imbalanced. I don’t want to embarrass her, but since the envelope was thrown away before a return address could be procured, I have to publicly thank NOVEMBER. Thank you so much. And if anyone else wants to start sending gifts, don’t be shy.
What’s the best gift you ever received? Material gift.
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Betsy Lerner 
Ah Vive La France. I got a car for my 17th birthday, and while it came with a lot of parental baggage, it was still an incredible gift.
I can only imagine the thrill of getting that package. The best gift I ever received is probably the desk chair I’m sitting in now. I use it every day.
“What’s the best gift you ever received? Material gift.”
This question has proven more difficult to answer than I first thought. I started to write one thing (the book?), then another (the camera?), then a third came to mind (the car?), then it was as if I’d opened Fibber McGee’s closet (the typewriter? the tuition check? the other tuition check? the other car? the other camera? the rifle? the radio? the ad infinitum?).
I think it was this: a home to grow up in. It wasn’t a perfect place (what home is?), and it wasn’t something I owned or had all to myself, but it was a material gift — walls, windows, roof, furnishings, yard with grass and trees and flowers — which did not cost me a cent, and was the foundation for everything else.
Best material gift…for me, it can even be the tiny ones – as in the ones that don’t cost much but the thought behind it is what makes them one of “the best.”
My husband bought me two devices after the first book deal. A Dell All In One and an Asus. Not inexpensive, but again, it’s that thought thing. His logic was, one was to work on inside the house. The smaller one to carry outside to work on the porch.
My old dog, Beauregardless, no question. His young owner was no longer able to keep him, and had no one but us to trust with his beloved bulldog. We were reluctant to take this athletic guy into our home, with his gator head and muscular build.
Cancer nearly took him, arthritis has slowed him, and his black mask is gray. His personality is still young, his bulldog determination still strong.
Beau took a 5,000 mile road trip last year, from Florida to Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and back across Texas. He rode on an elevated bed in back of a Honda Element, with a boarding ramp to help with that arthritis.
Twelve weeks a year, he is employed as Minister of Love when we work events, and has friends from an international community. He has a team of dedicated medical folks who provide him wonderful love and care, at no expense to him.
Beau is the finest gift we’ve ever received, and has spread smiles far. We are grateful.
You’re so welcome, Betsy! I’m glad the package made it to your hands.
I was soooo jet lagged when I walked into S & Co. last month and when I saw your book sitting on the table front and center, I shook my head and laughed. Small world, right?!
My favorite gift ever was a plane ticket to Paris in 1997. I had no clue how to deal with the city and was clearly overwhelmed. It was my first trip to Shakespeare & Co., too. Back then, with George Whitman around, it was incredibly derelict and almost scary. I loved it! I couldn’t afford a book so I had them stamp my hand. A very cool place.
How cool is that! My kids gave me an electric tea kettle and I use it every day!!
Nice gift, November!
For me, a box of Godiva chocolates from a postal patron is always a welcome gift and a sure way to insure quality postal service.
My half sister sent me a cheap guitar when my Yamaha dreadnaught was stolen years ago, but that was more a loaner. I was quite touched, though.
My mother discovered Patagonia in the mid-1980’s and I still wear some of those ski parkas and fleece that functioned well and helped me fit in with the Colorado ski bums and got me invited to more than a few apres ski shindigs. Once they figured out I had nice duds but no money or coke, those invites dried up.
My wife has surprised me with things I’d never buy for myself, but wind up loving. Examples: Tevas and a Seattle Sombrero rain hat.
Best of all is an recently rediscovered painting on a brown paper bag that my daughter gave me a few years ago. I framed it, It’s a cool image of her and me with captions written above each of us identifying who is who. She hates the way she painted my mustache as horizontal instead of pointing down horseshoe, but it’s my favorite gift so far.