Thanksgiving (on Christmas Day)

The day I came to the hospital, Oh boy how bad I felt

My thoughts were constantly how fate a dirty hand had dealt

If this were so and that were so in here I wouldn’t be

And the circumstance that put me here seemed so unfair to me

My keys I gave to TJ, who asked to drive my car

Then we headed north to Montréal we knew was pretty far

We laughed and joked as the speedometer reached a hundred ten

The thrill of speed was in our blood so there we went again

A fatal move it was that Halloween night to take that ride

For my buddy who drove next to me on that same night he died

His girlfriend told me later that to her he had made known

His plan to commit suicide, and not to die alone

I’m not sure if ever I will leave this hospital bed

There’s not much hope of recovery is what the doctor said

But I’ve decided not to fret, not to complain like hell

For the crash that took my buddy’s life could have taken mine as well

Because I’m here so far from home, so many weeks in bed 

If I leave this Earth I’ll leave behind thoughts I want read

I’m thankful, so thankful am I, I can’t begin to say

How thankful to be in the hospital on this Thanksgiving Day

* * *

The best part of this story is the sequel to my plight

I’m out of bed and walking, guess the doctor wasn’t right

It’s getting close to Christmas, hope to go home just in time

Maybe I can share in person what I’ve written down in rhyme

* * *

It’s Christmas Day, I’m home at last, my family’s all around

A day of celebration for the blessings that abound

My prayers were answered day by day until this moment came

On Christmas Day I thank my Lord rejoicing in His Name

L Guy Burton - 1965