FREDERICTON, NB—Despite 56-year-old Gord Gilbert's living will expressly stating "do not resuscitate" in the event of a food coma, the Gilbert household is torn over what to do after a particularly heavy Thanksgiving dinner rendered Mr. Gilbert catatonic.

"We warned him against taking a second, third, and fourth helping of yams, but he just wouldn't listen. He just kept piling them on. It was horrible," said Gord's son, Lyle. After excusing the kids to the basement rec-room, the grown-ups' table debated why Gord would do this to himself. "It's almost like this is what he wanted. To go out in a blaze of yam glory," said Gord's daughter Pam. "And his living will is very clear. It's time to say goodbye."

The ethical debate has split the Gilberts into two camps - those wanting to honour Gord's wishes and those who struggle with them. Lyle is in the latter camp: "What if he comes out of this food coma just as fast as he slipped into it? We just don't know what will happen, so why not keep hope alive? Hope, and Dad," said a visibly shaken Lyle.

June, Gord's wife of 29 years, could not be reached for comment as she was out at the grocery store to pick up more eggnog.

After putting on a VHS of the 2004 Jamie Lee Curtis vehicle Christmas with the Kranks for Gord's grandkids, Pam took Lyle out to the back porch for a moment. When they returned, Lyle, the eventual heir to Gord's collection of Cracked magazines and the summer home at the lake, felt differently. "I've been really selfish about this, but it's not about what I want, this is about what Dad wants. We should let him go with dignity. It's time for us to pull the plug - to his electric blanket."