The Eye-Opener's Silver Closing

Twenty-five years, what a wonderful feat
Our hosts Bob & Carol, a couple so neat
Can relax in the future at New Year's time
With no cooking, cleaning and peeling of limes.

Over the years they've made quiche & pate
Stratas & kraut balls - wow, what can we say!
They've served cobblers, shrimp, Parma and such,
Baklavas and pastries gave the finishing touch.

On entering the kitchen, Bob asks everybody
Would you like a Mary - Virgin or Bloody?
On the dining-room table sits Punch Bossanova,
A couple of these would soon make you keel over!

Each year the family has rallied around
To help Mom & Dad get things off the ground.
They've served and cleaned up & answered the bell,
And we've come to know them all so well.

There's Carla and Alison, her daughter dear,
Who has grown by leaps and bounds each year.
Tanya and Mike, now living out West,
While Oscar and Erica think their babes are the best!

For dogs, there's alway a place in this home,
From Sandy to Nibs - now he liked to roam!
Then came Tanya's dog Bocci, a cute Chocolate Lab,
And now, of course, Mokka, who really is fab!

I remember one year Nibs was given some punch --
The girls thought it would help to wash down his lunch.
He staggered around just like an old drunk,
Which really put Carol in quite a funk!

She made the girls take him straight to the vet,
Being very concerned about her pet.
His stomach was pumped - oh, what a day!
And all the expenses the girls had to pay.

Each year, the same guys go down to Bob's bar
To play some pool and have a cigar.
By the time they are done, it's quite a joke,
'Cause you often can't see downstairs for the smoke!

They have a darts competition too,
Very competitive, but that's nothing new.
The Brits play this game for fun in the pub,
But Bob plays to win - therein lies the rub!

Our hosts went to Poland earlier this year,
Bob wanted to show his roots to his dear.
One day while out jogging, he fell by the dock.
Said Carol, "Will you stop trying to be such a jock?"

So we've come to the end of a long tradition,
When we leave, we must all go out on a mission
To find a venue where we can have fun,
And all get together next January One!

To show how we feel, we have something for you --
After twenty-five years, it's long overdue!
You have a special place in our heart,
And if you change your minds, you can always restart!!

- Jennifer Nicoll, 2003 -