A good joke

My daughters are entertaining the folks at our retirement home today. We’ve been visiting them almost every Thursday now for going on 10 years. What a blessing - to us and them. We’ve made some great friendships, cried when dear ones have passed and learned so much for those older and usually much wiser than we are.

Once a month or so the girls and their friends put on the “program” for the morning. Usually our morning at the home consists of coffee and treats, about 30 minutes of hymn singing while the girls give the folks back rubs and then someone either speaks on a topic or sings… or something. The week that the girls are “on” they usually play the piano, sing duets, read poems and scripture or do little plays.

Today they’re doing a play based on an old joke that I believe J. R. R. Tolkien wrote and used to tell during his college days. A friend sent us the joke a few weeks ago and rather than just tell the joke to the folks, the girls decided to act it out. I’ll try to video and post later - too fun.

Anyway, here’s how the joke goes:

A young man wished to purchase a birthday gift for a lady friend. After much meditation and consideration he decided upon a pair of gloves as being appropriate. As his sister had some shopping to do, he accompanied her to a ladies wearing apparel shop.
While he was selecting the gloves, his sister made a purchase of a pair of drawers for herself. In delivering the parcels that afternoon, by mistake the drawers were left at his sweetheart’s door with a note as follows:

Dear Velma: This little token is to remind you that I haven’t forgotten your birthday. I didn’t choose it because I thought that you needed them, or because you haven’t been in the habit of wearing them, or because we go out evenings. Had it not been for my sister I would have gotten long ones, but she says they are wearing the short ones - with one button.

They are a very delicate color, I know, but the lady clerk showed me a pair she had worn for three weeks, and they were scarcely soiled at all. How I wish I might put them on you for the first time! No doubt many other gentleman’s hands will touch them before I get a chance to see you again, but I hope you will think of me every time you put them on.

I had the lady clerk try them on and they looked very neat on her. I did not know the exact size, but I should be capable of judging nearer than anyone else. When you put them on for the first time put a little powder in them and they will slip on easier. When you remove them, blow in the them before laying them away, as they will naturally be a little damp from wearing.
Hoping that you will accept them in the same spirit in which they are given and that you will wear them to the dance Friday night,
I remain,
Lovingly yours,
John
P.S. Note the number of times I will kiss the back of them in the coming year! John

Cute huh?

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