The Benson Family Reunion: Mac and Jim turn 50!
Jim and Mac Turn 50:
Grandmother Polly with babies Mac and Jim
From the moment they arrived on the scene back in June of 1954, Jimmy and Mac have been causing quite a sensation! Seen above with Grandmother Polly, Jimmy and Mac were the hit of the 1954 Benson Family Reunion. Born just 12 days apart, they were often mistaken for twins. Even Aunt Bessie was sure of their brotherhood. She was known to remark,
"They smell just alike! You can't tell me they are not twins! Whew! Jimmy, would you please bring me a clothespin to put on my nose?"
Mac and Jim Turn 50!
Even as toddlers, Mac and Jim were emotionally in tune with one another. Adults noticed that when they took a beloved toy away from Jim, and he cried, Mac would begin to cry also. Intrigued, the adults (drinking at the time) decided to try further tests of their own. They put the boys alone in separate rooms. They then made random noises outside Mac's room. He began to yell hysterically for his "Mommy". Remarkably, Jim (in the room next to Mac) began to yell for his mommy, too!
Jim and Mac are still occasionally mistaken for twins! Even as Jim and Mac have aged, their emotional bond has not diminished. In fact, some say it has grown even stronger. At a recent Benson Family Reunion, Cousin Polly noticed that when she accidentally spilled her hot coffee on Mac, Jim (asleep next door) woke up screaming and in pain - as if the coffee were on him!
That Mac is just amazing!
Family members describe the two cousins as being virtually inseparable to this day.
"It's so touching," explains Jim's sister-in-law Debbie, "they respect one another more than any two people I know. I've never seen grown men shampoo one another's hair before. But, just a few days ago, Jim (being a chemist) was concerned about gray overtaking Mac's bright red hair. Out of pure love, he mixed some ingredients together from the kitchen and a few from the trunk of his car and used the concoction on Mac's hair. It was instantaneous...the flame was back...the torch was re-ignited for all to see. I can't even think about it without tears coming to my eyes."

Many other relatives seem to have experienced the emotional connection between Mac and Jim, too. Cousin J.B. remembers the time Jim fell into an oyster bed while water skiing.
"As soon as Jim went down, Mac (in the boat) threw himself onto the floor of the boat and almost passed out in agonizing pain. We could hardly offer Jim any help because we were all taking care of Mac."

Whatever the future years hold for these two, one thing is for certain, they will face it together! Be sure to look for upcoming Benson Family Reunion features on Jim and Mac!
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*Note: Due to the aging process, Mac and Jim may not respond to your email because they have forgotten who you are.

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