Ode to Grandpa

I Resemble That Remark

Because we've gathered here from several

 continents and

 corners of the earth,

To celebrate with a member of our family

who - 90 years ago -

was given birth,

It is high time to set the record straight for

 our dear grandpa

and dad,

And let you know you were wrong:

he's not all that mean

 and bad.

It's true - he loves a joke and tells the

same one over and

over again, like it's the latest news.

He says a zillion times "you can hear

me you're not blind",

 or she's "cruising for a bruise".

If "the bread's so fresh it'll talk back to you",

 then "you've got

 the wrong altitude", OK?

And have you heard of the guy's who's "nuttier

than a fruitcake"?

We have - every single day.

Our dad's a gold medallist for shortcuts when

 he's behind the steering wheel.

While we often enjoyed his "scenic routes",

short rides became

 a two-hour ordeal.

We spent most of our years growing up

trying to get from

point A to point B.

How we survived those trips, we've no clue.

A guardian angel

 probably...

Many endearing terms were heard over time,

but one stands

out as music to our ears.

As any true Brenner will agree, particularly

sweet were the

words "yes, dear".

These are warm, loving and affectionate words,

but if you've got

any sense under your hat,

They are signs of big trouble and you better

make a run for

 it - and fast!

So we travelled over the Atlantic and other far

places to be here

 today with you.

We braved one earthquake, two tsunamis,

lost our luggage,

had flight delays too.

We killed one grizzly bear with our bare hands

and parachuted

from a plane on fire.

All this for the dad - and grandpa - we love

 and cause he's

everything our little hearts perspire.

Claudine, Corinne, Anissa and Sabrina

October 2008