2005

For the last five years my family has all gone out to a restaurant together after the holidays. It is typically the only time we are together during the year when we're not at someone's house so everybody gets to enjoy themselves. This tradition started in January 2002 when we all gathered to celebrate the 25th wedding anniversary of my brother and sister-in-law. The following year found us celebrating my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. After two years of celebrating we decided it was so much fun we needed to do it every year. Tonight was the night we gathered together to celebrate nothing more than surviving another year. In honor of tonight's dinner I wrote a sort of retrospective of 2005...

2005

2005 started out cold,
Especially at Floyd’s house
So I was told
At Windows we froze
The heat was unseen
So this year we’ll kick off
At the Silver Tureen
Now as we all gather
In good health and good cheer
Let’s take a look back
At a pretty good year…

A sweet babe we welcomed into our fold
In a hurry to get here a joy to behold
Sweet Bella’s a treasure, a girl like no other
And she’s lucky to have the best sister and brother
Kylie and Phillip are second to none
Spending their days playing games, having fun
Sometimes they disagree, sometimes they whine
But most of the time they get along fine
Edie and Robbie built their addition
We hope the kids like it, we spent their tuition.

On Wyndegate Drive some changes took place
Floyd and Gail took some time to jazz up their space
New windows, wallpaper, floors, carpets and deck
Some money was left so they said what the heck
Ash got her license, lets buy her some wheels
Now she can drive home when they kick up their heels
Kayla kept busy with babysitting and soccer
Soon she’ll be moving stuff to a high school locker

Cherie and Mike brought home little Pip
A cute little pup with a bum little hip
Nobody is sure for how long she did roam
But she and Chawi are happy that she now has a home.
Cherie turned fifty and did it with grace
With a drink in her hand and a smile on her face.
We celebrated in style, a night fit for a queen
Complete with a shiny black stretch limousine

Ross finished high school and went off to college
To join brother Chris in pursuing more knowledge
Boyd and Brenda were ready for a bit of a rest
And adjusted quite well to their now empty nest
They find themselves busy, there’s still lots to do
When you go from a household of four down to two
This year finds them headed off on a cruise
I hope Boyd finds a way to smuggle some booze

Mom and Dad kept from getting lazy and fat
Busy with grandkids, Shriners, and gals in red hats
They had a good year with one minor glitch
In Poppa’s heart they found a small hitch
It was a rough time but look at him now
Now let’s take a moment to thank the poor cow…

Heidi and Isabelle, Anna and Chris
To not mention you would make this remiss
You’re all family too and we’re glad that you’re here
To join in this evening of fun and good cheer.

This family’s unique, so is everyone in it
And I wouldn’t change a thing, not for a minute.
So let’s raise a glass to welcome this year
Let’s hope next year finds us healthy and here!