This song began with an article I read in 1995 by George McGovern, the former senator from South Dakota, about his daughter Teresa, who had died the previous December in a snowdrift in Madison, Wisconsin, while extremely intoxicated. He went on to describe the problems she had had with alcoholism most of her life, and the efforts he and the rest of her family had made to help her. I was impressed by his willingness to share his grief at her loss (as well as some guilt that he had not been able to save her), in the hope that this would help others to avoid the same problems. One of my valued possessions now is an autographed copy of the book, Terry, that he wrote about her. I hope this song, in its own way, can also help.
VERSE 1:
She was born in South Dakota, on a hot summer afternoon;
On a cold night in Wisconsin, her life slipped away, too soon.
And though she fought the bottle all her life, and in the end,
she lost --
We might still gain some strength ourselves from her struggle,
and what it cost.
VERSE 2:
Some days the demons are in control, and sometimes it's hard to
see,
When the hole you're in is deep and dark, if there's any way to
break free.
You might give in to the darkness -- die, like she did, in your
prime --
Or you might find a life worth living, just taking it one day at
a time.
CHORUS:
"One day at a time's about as much as I can face;
Don't know if there's enough inside me to fill the future's
empty space.
Forever's too big a gamble when I'm down to my last dime;
So, don't give me eternity -- just give me one day at a
time."
VERSE 3:
Addictions come in many flavors, and sometimes it's hard to tell
When drinking, drugs, or cards, or work become your ticket down
to hell.
But if you reach out and listen to those who care, find some
peace in your own mind,
You just might find a life worth living, just taking it one day
at a time.
CHORUS
BRIDGE:
And if that Higher Power they talk about seems cold and far away,
Just take the hands of those who love you -- let them help you
through one more day.
CHORUS
END:
"No -- don't give me eternity -- just give me one day at a
time".
Dedicated to the memory of Teresa McGovern,
1949-1994; Martha June Bearden, 1921-1993; and the many others
whose lives have been helped by the work of the members of
Alcoholics Anonymous.
Questions? Comments? Please send e-mail to jbearden@ieee.org
Material Copyright © 1998-2003 by Jim Bearden