That Fateful Day

I was ridin' in from checkin' fence
It was gettin' sorta late
I decided to cross the ridge through the Aspen grove
A short cut to our gate

As the Bay brought me to the top
In the shadows I saw a man
He looked as if he was talkin'
By the way he moved his hands

Yet, he stood there all alone
His head pointed towards the sky
I reined the Bay up to a halt
And didn't pass him by

It was then, I realized it was Bill
An old cowhand from the ranch
I pulled the Bay up near a tree
And hid there behind a branch

In the silence I could hear him speak
I'll never forget what he had to say
Bill was talkin' man to man with God
These are the words I heard him say

Lord, he said, it's old Bill here
I know it's been quite awhile
I used to think that prayin'
Well, that prayin' just weren't my style

Somehow I've always had the notion
To pray you were askin' for favors and such
So I never got into the habit
I always seemed to have so much

Then the other day I got to thinkin'
How you've blessed me everyday
That even through the hardest times
You never once did stray

Yes Sir, you've stayed right here with me
Through all my 80 years
The words Bill were sayin'
They brought me near to tears Bill said, Lord, I haven't come to ask for favors
It's thanks I've come to say
For all the deeds you've done for me
And never once asked for pay

I, thank you Lord for this Aspen grove
For the blue up in the sky
The tall grass down in the meadow
The clear water that passes by
Thank you Lord for the mountains high
Their peaks covered a snowy white
For all the stars each night that shine
It's such a beautiful sight

The mustangs runnin' free on the range
The mavericks we gather in early spring
The Eagle soaring above my head
Lord, I thank you for everything

Thank you for all the good friends I've had
Through the years I've had quite a few
As I get older, I now understand
They were there because of you

Lord, I thank you most for my 80 years
And the few I have left to go
And Lord, thank you for lettin' me cowboy
I've truly loved it so

With that Bill mounted up, then headed off
Leavin' me...my eyes wide open to see
For until then I just took things for granted
That day...I came to believe

It's been nearly forty years now
Since Bill stood in that grove of trees
But, his words are still here with me
I hope they never leave

Like Bill, I too am so thankful
For oh so very much
And ever since that Fateful Day
Me and the Lord...we stay in touch

Woody Woodruff