All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S02E16.The.Awakening.WEBRip.xON10

[theme music]

[pleasant music]

(male narrator)
Many times when I have
tripped across those events

in one's life called
milestones, I have thought

about how they
so often catch us unawares.

There was was, for instance,
that unforgettable spring

many years ago when
in the same week grandma

had to face growing old,
Mary Ellen had to face

the feelings of a woman.

Everything's ready.
Everything's been ready.

They don't care. They think
it's just tough as shoe leather.

Let it burn.

Come when
they're good and ready.

John! Boys!
Dinner is ready.

Dinner!

[boys laughing]

'Cut it out.'

I'm not
doing anything.

We finished stacking
the kindling, grandma.

Do you have anything else
for us to do before dinner?

Yes, we're
having stew for dinner.

And if you don't
like it, you can do without--

- Huh?
- But grandma, we never--

I'm sick and tired
of hearing your complaints.

Now you just be
glad you got what you got.

Grandma, I don't think
you understood what Ben meant.

Charlie Sneeds out there,
shooting the breeze.

He says the President's
gonna talk on the radio tonight.

- Is that so?
- Uh-huh.

I think he's gonna
talk on the new deal.

Now I'm right
sorry about that.

Huh?

Of course,
that's onion peel.

How do you think I'm gonna make
stew without peeling onions?

Grandma, grandpa
didn't say any--

Boys, can I
speak to you a minute?

Boys, I want you to stop
laughing at your grandma.

She's having a little bit of
trouble with her hearing lately.

I'll say.

Cut it out!

Boys, I'm
speaking to you.

I'm just trying to get him
to be quiet and pay attention.

Her hearing is getting
worse and worse

and she doesn't want to let on.

- Grandma's proud.
- That she is.

She's bragged all her life
about never being sick a day.

But now, she's getting
old, she's getting deaf

and she doesn't
want to admit it.

Now, you children could
help consider by pretending

not to notice it.

Well, I'll be sure to let
all the others know.

Anybody who laughs
gets a punch.

Thank you, Kendell.

[sighs]

Onion peel?

[both laughing]

Daddy, I've been meaning
to talk to you about something.

What is it, son?

- You know the old shed?
- Yeah.

I'd like to have it.
I could fix it up for an office.

I've always wanted a study
of my own.

So it's come to that?

A Walton man leaving and
shuttin' himself in an office.

I guess
it's come to that.

- Alright, you got it.
- Thank you.

Didn't you two hear
me call you for dinner?

I heard you, Liv,
but I had a little

business talk
over with my son.

I won!
I won.

I'll race you to the
big tree, John-Boy?

- You lost.
- 'I did not.'

John Boy, Mary Ellen.
Dinner!

You think you
got them all grown up

and suddenly
they're acting their age.

Well, do something!

Alright.

[laughing]

(man 1 on radio)
'Pray for this administration
but there can be'

'no collective security.'

'Without careful attention
to the individual security'

'of all citizens.'

'Therefore, we have this day,
proposed--'

It sure looks weird.
Do you think it works?

I don't know.
Girls, please.

(man 1 on radio)
'A plan we call
social security.'

'Our plan has
a three-fold purpose.'

This sure is a great way for
proposing new plans, isn't it?

(man 1 on radio)
'We propose a plan..'

[boys laughing]

Boys, quieten
down and listen.

(man 1 on radio)
'A pension ranging from
$10 a month to $85 a month'

'to persons over the age
of 65 who qualify.'

Whoopie!
Now I can retire.

(man 1 on radio)
'...we would offer help
to our handicapped.'

'To the blind, the deaf
the crippled..'

Good lord.

(man 1 on radio)
'We propose these measures
so that fear can be banished'

'from the hearts of all..'

Grandma?

I was listening to that.

Grandma, I was
listening to the radio.

(man 2 on radio)
'You've just heard
President Roosevelt'

'speaking from the floor
of the senate.'

What happened?

I turned it off.
That's what happened.

What did you do that for?

Man's got a good voice,
I hear what he's saying.

I just don't
like what he's saying.

He's going to keep on
saying the same thing all night.

Frankly, ma, I think we've
got a good President there.

Mm-hmm.

I don't know why you're
so riled up for tonight.

Whole country's
gonna be paupers

if he keeps
giving our money away.

Ma..

Well, what sense does it make
for a man whose worked hard

to raise a crop to have
to turn under half of it

to get a few
cents from the government?

I know it sounds strange,
grandma, but it does work.

We've been
studying it in school.

It's true, grandma. It's called
the law of supply and demand.

- The less crops there are--
- The more money he gives away.

The more money..
What good is it?

If you ask me, we got a crazy
man up there in the White House.

Grandma, President Roosevelt
is the most wonderful president

this country's ever had.

Speak up. She can't hear you.

Oh, yeah.

He cares about people, Grandma.

And he's doing something
to try and help this country.

May I ask why you're
shouting at me, Mary Ellen?

[laughing]

Sorry, Grandma.

John, I'm going on up.

I've been on my feet since five
this morning and I'm worn out.

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight, Livvy.

I'll come along, Liv.

You kids don't be late now.

Esther?

I'm worried about Grandma.

Her hearing's been
getting worse everyday

not to mention her temper.

She sure
was feisty tonight.

But then this President's
done something no one else

has done before.

What's that?

Put her in a box. Tie her
string on. Put a label on it.

Who'd ever dare?

She's going to be 68
on Saturday.

That makes her eligible
for social security.

Except the newspapers
don't call it that.

They call it
old age pension.

I don't blame her.
I guess I'd resent it too.

No one's ever
called her old before.

Now this President's gone ahead
and made it official.

Esther, I'd like
to talk to you real plain.

The whole world's gone crazy.

It's moving faster
than a body can keep up with.

You're not
listening to me.

Old woman, you've been
of a mean temper lately.

Troubling everyone
in the family.

Is something wrong?

Where'd it all go?

Where'd it all go so fast?

I don't even recognize myself.

I look so different.

But I feel
the same inside.

There aren't any wrinkles
on my mind or spirit.

[melancholic music]

Hello.

Hello.
You scared me.

I'm-I'm sorry.

(male1)
'I just came down
to do some fishing.'

You live around here?

About a mile
up the road.

- Kevin Sturgis.
- Mary Ellen Walton.

You don't live
right here, do you?

Uh, no. I'm a student
at the University of Virginia.

Oh, my brother just got
accepted to Bogart University.

He's gonna be a writer.

I'm supposed to start
med school.

Could you do me a favor?

Sure.

Let down your hair.

You're beautiful.

I wish I could paint you.

Just as you are now.

I wish I could
be a painter.

My dad doesn't
understand why a grown man

would want to be an artist.

But I sure do.

Are you a grown man?

I'm twenty.
How old are you?

How old do you think?

Sixteen?

Seventeen?

That's close enough.

[romantic music]

I'm sorry. I'm not
usually such a gorilla.

I have to go.

- Do you have a phone?
- No.

I have some friends
of mine meeting me here today.

And then I'll have to go
back to school tomorrow night.

I sure would like to see
you again before I leave.

Can I come by
your house tomorrow?

Yeah. No.

Alright.

Goodbye.

Your house.

- Where is it?
- Oh.

First one on the left
up the road.

See you tomorrow, Mary Ellen.

Goodbye.

Uh, Livvy?

I'm gonna need your help to see
that Esther gets to the doctor.

About her hearing?

Whatever it is just come over.

I found her doubled
up over the sink this morning.

She claims it's just
a dizzy spell, but..

Sure don't
like the sound of that.

She's a stubborn old woman.

You know she hasn't been to see
a doctor in over ten years?

I know.
I'll see what I can do.

Ah, thank you, Liv.

- Grandpa?
- Mm-hmm?

There's one thing
I'd like to mention.

What's that?

I don't think you should
call grandma old woman.

Oh, why not?

She'll be 68 on her birthday
coming up this Saturday.

That's why not.

[children shouting]

Children! Now what
is going on here?

Ben won't give
Mary Ellen her handkerchief.

Where'd you get that?

I met a boy
from the university this morning

and he gave it to me.

Looks very nice.
Now who's the boy?

His name is Kevin Sturgis.

He was going fishing
and we just met.

Mary Ellen's got a boyfriend.

If he goes to university
he doesn't know how old you are.

Enough!
Sit down and have your lunch.

A person doesn't get any privacy
at all around this place.

- Well, that's for sure.
- And where've you been?

Tending to some business, mama.

Yeah? Like what?

I went for a walk, Jason.

I wish I could go for a walk
and never return.

You see Mary Ellen
primping around with her hair

in front of the mirror. Ooh ooh.

- I hate you!
- Mary Ellen, wait!

Ben, you creepy old collie.

Benjamin Walton, you want me
to take a switch to you?

What did I do so bad?

You spied and you tattled
for one thing.

Well, she always teases me?

You're going
through so many stages

I don't know how to keep up.

You just watch your step,
Ben Walton.

Mama, come quick!

Oh. Now what?

Shame, shame, you crazy
old caddie..

Mama, Mary Ellen's locked the
door and she won't let me in.

I'll see what I can do.
Go have your lunch.

- Mary Ellen?
- Go away.

'Mary Ellen, it's mama.
Please open the door.'

- You wanna talk about it?
- No.

They were kind of rough on you,
weren't they?

[sighs]

- That's not it.
- Honey, what's the matter?

He kissed me, mama.

Kevin Sturgis kissed me.

And he said I was beautiful.

[sighs]

[soft music]

The way I feel right now, mama.

Is this the way you
feel when you're in love?

Probably part of it.

How'd you meet this boy,
Mary Ellen?

While I was wading in the lake.

Just cooling off.

I turned around
and there he was.

Tall, handsome.

The sun making his hair shine.

It was just like a movie.

Sounds like it.

And it all happened so fast

He thinks I'm lots older
than I am.

And you didn't bother
to correct the impression.

Oh, mama,
I just couldn't.

When it was happening
I wasn't 14.

Fourteen is just a kid.

Well, I don't really
know how to explain it.

But lots of times lately
I just don't feel like a kid.

I know.

Body's saying one thing
and your motions and experiences

saying something else and
they don't always talk together.

That's right.
That's it exactly.

Well, some of the kids
I've known all my life..

...Swain Carlson for instance..

...every time she sees a boy
she starts acting silly.

All she ever talks about is
marriage and kids and stuff.

Is that the way it's gonna be?

Well, I guess that depends
on you.

Becoming a woman isn't
a sentence for heaven's sakes.

It's a-it's a beginning
of new possibilities.

'Love, marriage, children.'

'When the time is right
and if that's what you want.'

But in any case,
it's a natural cycle.

It's filled with joys
and sorrows.

Responsibilities.

Like, keep a house and
having kids and stuff, right?

No.

Like being one half
of the adult human race.

- Mama, would you do me a favor?
- I can.

Well..

Kevin said he wanted to see me
before he went back to school.

And he said he'd
stop by tomorrow.

Well, if he does could you
please keep the children away?

Gonna tell him
how old you are?

Yeah, I'll tell him.

But I want to see him alone..

...if he comes.

I'll see what I can do.

Come on down
and have some lunch.

My first little girl feeling
the pangs of romance so soon.

Well, I'd better
start saving my money.

Time passes.

The father of the bride
pays for the wedding.

Well, ain't that
just like a man?

With John-Boy
you talk about college

with Mary Ellen,
it's automatically wedding.

Well, she's lucky.

And what if she decides
not to get married at all?

She does have a choice you know?

You're starting to sound
like those sulfur jets.

And you're starting
to make me mad.

We've been married
all these years.

You still don't know
when you're being teased.

- Were you?
- Uh-huh.

You ought to be
ashamed of yourself.

No, I ought to feel good
about myself

'cause of the choice you made.

I love you.

I better get back to work.

Those wedding dresses
cost a lot of money.

[children clamoring]

Hey, Mary Ellen..

No, thank you, G.W.

What's the matter with you?

Nothing.
Just feel like strolling.

Beautiful day, isn't it?

I'm kind of sweaty myself.

Oh, I think it's beautiful.

You can almost hear
the flowers and the sun

talking to each other?

You can?

You want me to take
your books or something?

If you like.

[instrumental music]

Grandpa?

Hi, Mary Ellen.

Have you been
around here all day?

So far. Why?

A friend of mine said they would
stop by.

I was just wondering
if anyone had been here.

I haven't seen anyone
new like.

- Okay, thanks, grandpa.
- Mm-hmm

[slow music]

- It's beautiful.
- And it's practical.

And it's cheap.

That's no reason to give grandma
something she won't like.

- Who says she won't like it?
- I just don't think she will.

Why won't she like something
that she really needs?

Would you children please
go someplace else to argue?

If you don't believe me
ask Mary Ellen.

Oh, please,
I'd like to be alone.

Mary Ellen,
I'm sorry about yesterday.

That's okay, Ben.

(Ben)
'We need you
to decide something.'

We all are pooling in
on something for grandma.

We found something
on Verne's cart.

It'll make her hear
better and everything.

Yeah, and it only
costs 35 cents.

It's beautiful,
but Erin didn't like it.

See? An ear trumpet.

I think it's very nice.

(Ben)
'What'd I tell you, Erin?'

'Thanks a lot, Mary Ellen.'

[children chattering]

(Ben)
'Let's go downstairs.'

- Mary Ellen?
- Yes?

Can I meet him?

- Meet who?
- 'Your boyfriend.'

Erin..

First of all,
he is not my boyfriend.

Second, I don't even know
if he's coming by.

No, you can't meet him.

'Okay. That's okay.'

Just wanted to see
if he looks like a movie star.

You read my diary?

Well, it was just
lying there open.

I didn't think you'd mind.

You didn't think I'd mind if
you read my innermost thoughts?

Well, we always share
everything, don't we?

Well, if we do,
it's not by my choice.

(Olivia)
'Grandma.'

Grandpa said he found you
doubled over the sink.

'Were you in pain? Or was
it a dizzy spell or what?'

Well, probably just
a case of pure aggravation

at an old man making
a mountain out of a mole hill.

Mom, I just have
to take a room of my own.

I want some privacy.

Your mother and I
were talking.

Now, what is it you want?

Oh, never mind, grandma.
You wouldn't understand.

Well, I understand one thing.

And that is you're getting
too big for your britches.

'If I-I spoke to my
grandmother like that'

'I would've had my mouth
washed out with soap.'

Grandma, when the children
need correcting, I'll do it.

She's just a child!

(Olivia)
'Grandma.'

What is it
around here lately?

Everybody's snapping
at everybody else.

I know.

I'm sorry, mama,
but I'll just go crazy

if I don't have
a place to myself.

Can I have the old shed?
Please?

I don't know, Mary Ellen.

John-Boy was studying
in there today.

Yeah, but he can
write on a tree.

He doesn't care.

Well, will you promise to fix it
up and take care of it properly?

Will I?

You just watch me.

What do you think, John-Boy?

What're you doing?

Fixin' up my new room!

Come on and look.

Isn't it beautiful?

I told momma
to come out and see.

Mama, what is Mary
Ellen doing in my study?

I mean, she's moved in
lock, stock and barrel.

- Your study?
- Yeah.

Last night daddy gave it to me.
He said it was mine.

Oh, I didn't know anything
about those arrangements.

I didn't know anything either.

But you don't really mind,
do you?

You have a room of your own.
We knew you'd understand.

Oh, of course,
John-Boy's the oldest.

And he always understands.

I mean, girls are girls.

You've got to be patient.
You've got to understand.

Jim-Bob, he's just a little boy.

So you got to be patient.

'And Ben and Jason,
they're in the middle.'

That's always difficult.
So you've got to be patient.

But never worry about
old John-Boy's feelings.

He's practically a man

and you don't have
to understand him.

I'm tired of being
so-so understanding

and so patient.

I'm tired of giving
into everybody else.

And right now
I'm gonna have things my way.

[dramatic music]

I thought I told you
to take it easy, old woman.

You're not gonna make an
invalid out of me, old man.

Esther.

Boys?
John-Boy!

She come tearing outta the house
like she usually does.

Grabbed hold of the screen door,
swayed a little

then fell right on the ground.

She's a strong woman, pa.

She's gonna be alright.

It was only two or three steps.

By the time I got to her
she was out.

Dr. Vance is with her, grandpa.
He'll take care of everything.

John-Boy?

Come outside.

Really worried about grandma.

- I wish we knew what was wrong.
- She's getting on, son.

We just have to wait and see
what Dr. Vance has to say.

About the shed, John-Boy.

And you blowing up
at Mary Ellen.

'You know, your mother
and me got our wires crossed.'

You see, daddy.

It's just that someone
around here always seems

to want something that I have.

Yeah, I know.

But Mary Ellen didn't know
that I gave you the shed.

Look, daddy, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to blow up at her.
That was wrong.

It's just that she was being
so selfish at the time.

John-Boy, you remember
how it was

when you first started
to feel like a man?

Yeah, I think
I know what you mean.

Well, Mary Ellen's had..

...some attention paid to
by young man.

What's that got to do
with the shed?

Well, now,
don't be stubborn, son.

When a girl begins
to feel like that

she seems to need a nest.

And Mary Ellen's made
that shed into her nest.

Why can't she find another nest?

I did have first dibs
on that shed.

That's right, you did.

You think about it, will you?

Yes, sir.

Alright.

- How is she?
- Full of spit and vinegar.

Told me she keeled over
from the heat

and I should mind
my own business.

- You think it was the heat?
- No.

I suspect some trouble
in the inner ear.

I want her to see
a doctor in Charlottesville

- If we can get her to go.
- I'll get her to go.

Esther, you are without doubt
the stubbornest woman

in the county.

I got a touch of light
headedness from the heat.

That is all that is
the matter with me.

Now stop bothering me.

I want you
to get yourself dressed.

And come to Charlottesville
with me to see the doctor.

I am not budging
from this chair.

If you want me to go to.

You're gonna have to drag me
there. Now leave me alone.

[door slamming]

Hey, grandpa.

Don't speak to me while,
I fit to be tired.

I'm trying to walk it off.

'What's the matter?
Is it grandma?'

Oh, yes.

You know, she says she
won't go to the doctor

unless I drag her there.

Well, then drag her there.
She's gotta go.

Heck.

[sighs]

[laughing]

This is mighty pretty spotted.

It sure is.

Always remember the first
time I found this pond.

Wasn't any road on here then.

And I was out walking
with a girl.

I ever tell you
about that girl?

Mm-mm.

I was a raw bone,
green behind the ears

country boy.

She was a pretty little thing
with long brown curls.

Everyone around
here called her, Sissy.

I never have..

...before or since that summer.

Felt the way I did about a girl.

She was so young.

So full of dreams.

You know, in a way,
she was considerably

the way Mary Ellen
is right now.

Ha-ha.

That Sissy, she wasn't
like the other girls.

She wasn't even
thinking of settling down.

She was real
handy with a needle.

And it was her
aim to go over to Richmond

and start up
a dress shop of her own.

Only 18 years of age
and already thinking that way.

Yes, siree.

There's something real
special about that Sissy.

Smart as a whip.

Pretty as a picture.

And she could hold her own
with any man.

In a way I feel real sorry..

...whenever I think of Sissy.

'Cause none of her dreams
ever amounted to much.

What happened to her?

I married her.

[pleasant music]

[bells chiming]

- Hey, Ike.
- Hey, John-Boy.

- How are you?
- What can I do for you?

I'd like a birthday present
for grandma's birthday tomorrow.

Under 50 cents
if you can manage that.

I reckon we can find something.

I hope so.

Hey, how about this
for grandma?

That'll be good
for her curiosity shelf, huh?

- Wow!
- It's pure China.

That's a mighty,
pretty little figure but..

How much for it?

Let's see.

It's marked at 50 cents.

For you, 75.

No, 35 cents.

Oh, wow!
Yeah, well, I'll take that.

- Thank you.
- I'll wrap it up.

Thank you.

- Oh.
- Oh, no, John-boy.

You don't get those.
I grew those myself.

And they are not for sale.

You know, it took me
two seasons to grow those.

I cultivated them.
Nurtured them.

'Until they came to be
the beauties they are.'

Those are most beautiful flowers
I've have ever seen.

It's just pure pleasure just to
stand here and look at them.

Mm.

Of course.

If you did plan on selling them.

I don't suppose they'd go
for any 15 cents would they?

[laughing]

Fifteen cents?

'No, John-Boy.'

Not even for you.
Not 15 cents.

No. Ha-ha.

[pleasant music]

Now, how did I let him
talk me into that?

[music continues]

Grandma gonna be up
for dinner, mama?

The doctor wants her
to stay in bed.

Oh, Mary Ellen, will you
take these to your grandma?

Thank you.

In my day, people knocked.

I'm sorry, grandma,
but I had my hands full.

Mama asked me
to bring you this tray.

I never had a meal in my life
and I don't intend to start now.

- But grandma the doctor said--
- The doctor said what?

That I was too old
and too feeble

to come to the table
like everyone else.

- But no grandma--
- You think so too?

Let me tell you
something, young lady.

I cleared the ground
this house stands on.

Side by side with my husband.

I planted crops with him.

I bore three children
and never missed a day's work.

I milked cows,
I did all the meals.

I even took care
of the chickens.

And now just because
I've had a dizzy spell

they wanna put me out
to pasture?

Well, you tell them,
they can give their

old age pension
to somebody else.

Because I don't need it.

Please, take that tray
outta here.

Grandma?

Grandma?

What?

Well, today,
before I came home.

Was anyone around,
asking for me?

Yes, around noon time.
There was a young man here.

What did you tell him?

I told him, you were in school
with the other children.

With the other child..

He was here mom, and now
he's never gonna come back.

Hey, girl!
Where you going like that?

Oh, you wouldn't understand.
Nobody could understand.

[soft music]

Well, try me.

Someone thought I was beautiful.

Someone, just once,
took me seriously as a woman.

And now he's found out,
I'm just a grade school child.

And he's gonna feel like a fool.
And I feel like a fool.

- Well, you shouldn't.
- Why not?

Mary Ellen.

These are for you.

They're beautiful.

Why?

I don't know.

Just...sometimes a man has
to give flowers to a woman.

Even if it's own sister.

Oh, John-Boy.

Shh.

[pleasant music]

You know.

You-you can have the shed.

'If you want the shed'

''cause I really study
much better in my own room.'

'So if you want it,
you can have it. Okay?'

Okay.

[music continues]

- Morning daddy, John-boy.
- Morning, honey.

What are you gonna do?
A little farming?

Oh, I thought, I'd plant
a few roses outside my room.

See ya.

That was a nice thing you did
for your sister yesterday, son.

Well, daddy,
I may not always like it.

But like it or not,
I am the oldest I guess.

I think we had you first.

Stubborn, my foot. Look who's
callin' the kettle black.

You're stubborn.
You're stubborn.

Well, I've convinced her.

We are going to Charlottesville
to see the doctor.

And we'll be back in plenty
of time for your party.

Well, I am feeling
just fine today.

Today is your birthday.

Yeah, and you're using
it to get your own way.

I told her there is
an old Chinese custom

that you're suppose to give
a gift to the other fellow

on your birthday.

Your gift to me
is to go to Charlottesville

to see the doctor
because I am tired

of picking you up
off the ground.

Makes good sense to me.

We'll be back
in time for supper.

Chinese custom, my foot.

Well, the Arabs have a custom
of five or six wives

would you like try that one?

No, I've trouble enough
with the one I've got.

Mama?

Why do grandpa and grandma
always act like

they are mad at each other
when they're not?

Some people have different ways
of showing their love.

- Hi, Mary Ellen.
- Hi, G.W.

Whatcha doing?

Planting flowers
outside my room.

What room?

This is my very own
private apartment.

Looks like an old shed to me.

Not inside, it doesn't
Come on, I'll show you.

Of course,
it needs some fixing up.

I gotta paint this old closet
and get the doors on it fixed.

Where did you get those?

Oh, you mean those flowers?

Somebody die or something?

G.W. it just so happens those
were presents from an admirer.

What kind of admirer?

What kind do you think, silly?
A man, of course.

A man? Who?

Oh, women don't talk
about presents they get

from one man to another.

Bet your daddy don't know
you're getting presents.

'Who are from, Mary Ellen?
I wanna know.'

G.W. Haines,
I do believe you're jealous.

I don't know if I am or not.

Never had a girlfriend before.

Am I your girlfriend?

I dunno. I told you.
I never had one before.

G.W.

Do you suppose you could
fix the hinges

on this old closet for me?

Of course, I could.

Oh, good.

Can I help with the cakes?

No, Elizabeth.
You'll get your fingers burnt.

Can I help spread the icing?

Not right now. You gotta wait
till the cake's cool.

(Mary Ellen)
'This one's done.'

(Erin)
'Okay.'

Can I draw on the card?

No, you'll mess it all up.

Can I do anything?

Yes, Elizabeth,
you can lick out the bowl

when we are done icing the cake.

Thanks, Mary Ellen.

There we go.

"To our dear grandmother.

"May your joys be
as deep as the ocean.

"And your troubles
as light as the clouds.

Elizabeth, Ben, Jim-Bob
and Mary Ellen."

[talking indistinctly]

It'll go great with the gift.

- What are you gonna give her?
- It's a secret.

It's a good secret.

Maybe.

I made grandma something
that she'll really like.

- What is it?
- What does it look like?

Never saw anything
like that before.

It's a muffler.

Oh, that's a muffler alright?

How is that supposed to fit?

[all laughing]

I thought, I was
doing it right, mama.

Don't you worry, Erin.
The color is just beautiful.

And it's exactly
the right size for a..

For grandma to wear
over her knees

when she is listening
to the radio at night.

First time I ever
heard of a knee muffler.

(Erin)
'There are such things,
aren't there, mama?

(Olivia)
'Absolutely. They're the
latest rage in Europe.'

This sounds like a happy group.

- Is grandma back yet?
- Not yet, John.

What's everybody laughing at?

They are laughing
at the birthday present

I made for grandma.

Well, now.
That's nothing to laugh about.

That's beautiful, honey.

That's very original too.

I don't believe
I've ever seen a..

knitted dish towel before?

[all laughing]

[footsteps approaching]

- Here they come, mama.
- Here they come.

Children!

Your grandma's here.
Children!

(all)
'Happy birthday!'

[mouth organ playing]

[indistinct chattering]

Happy birthday.

Grandpa, is something wrong?

What's the matter, pa?

The doctor says

that this old
sweetheart of mine

is going to be around
for another 20 years.

[cheering]

Now stop it.

She is as fit as a fiddle.

The doctor examined
her from head to toe.

Of course, he had to do it
under the sheets.

[laughing]

You should have heard
the carryings-on.

(male #1)
'What was it?'

(Zebulon)
'It was viral ear infection,
just like Doc Vance said.'

And nobody's gonna
have to yell anymore.

'Cause I got some medicine
to fix up my hearing.

(Zebulon)
'That was her
best birthday present.'

Here's your other one.

Open it up.

'Only wish it was solid gold.'

'Found it in a dress shop
in Charlottesville.'

'Thought maybe you'd like it.'

See, I remember, Sissy.

Sissy.

Zeb, you old fool.

(John)
'Now if everyone's giving
presents we might as well.'

[indistinct chatter]

Ben, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth.
Can I see you for a minute?

What do you want, Mary Ellen?

I've done something
really awful.

You asked me for my advice
and I wasn't listening.

What I'm trying to say is
we can't give grandma

the ear trumpet,
especially not now.

I know what you mean. With her
hearing coming back and all.

Well, that and besides
she doesn't seem old anymore.

- You know what I mean?
- No, she's still old.

Real old.

Besides, it's the only
thing we can give her.

Well, leave that to me.

I made you something for your
curiosity shelf too, grandma.

Oh, Jason.
You carved that all by yourself?

Yes, ma'am. I know how much
you love to feed the chickens.

So I thought we should
get a cackle outta it.

Well, they're both beautiful.

Open mine now, grandma.

Alright.

Why Erin, this is just fine.

Oh, it's a beautiful thing.

- It's lovely.
- What is it?

Why, Zeb, surely you know
what this is.

Anybody can tell what it is.

It's a beautiful..

..a pillow case?

'I know, but I'm not
going to tell anybody.'

Happy birthday.

Happy birthday, grandma.

Oh!

"To our dear grandma.

"May your joys be
as deep as the ocean.

"And your troubles
and light as the clouds.

"Elizabeth, Ben,
Jim-Bob and Mary Ellen."

Oh, that's lovely.

John-Boy, you wrote
that, didn't you?

Oh, my.
I really dreaded this day.

Turning another year older.

And you all of my
very dear family.

Turned it into the happiest
birthday of my life.

So far.

[children chattering]

John-Boy, how would you like
to get your office back?

What happened?

Well, I decided
I'm not ready for privacy.

I didn't sleep a wink
last night.

I've never been
so lonely in my life.

- Well, if you--
- Thanks!

Here.

For me?
Aww, thank you, G.W.

What's the occasion?

Well, what are you
doing here, John-Boy?

Where's Mary Ellen?

Here I am, G.W.
You're it.

Imma get you, Mary Ellen.

[laughing]

Isn't there an old saying

that the more things change,
the more they're the same?

I believe so, yeah.

Oh, Livvy, I can't tell you
how good it feels

to feel good again.

There is only one thing
troubling me now.

What's that grandma?

What is this anyway?

[laughing]

(male narrator)
Mary Ellen's new found
maturity was with her one day.

Then gone the next.

In time it was to come to stay.

Today she lives in Richmond,
Virginia.

The wife of a professor

at Virginia
Commonwealth University.

And the mother of two sons.

We see each other when we can.

And our talk is after return
to those days

during the depression.

Which these many years later

still seemed
filled with wonder.

(Ben)
'John-Boy?'

(John-Boy)
'Yes, Ben?'

(Ben)
'Does the world
go around the sun'

'or does the sun
go around the world?'

(John-Boy)
'I believe the earth
circles the sun, Ben.'

(female #1)
'I wish you'd stop talking
about things that go around.'

'You're keeping me awake.'

(female #2)
'I can't sleep either. Just
lying here tossing and turning.'

(Jim-Bob)
'Let's go downstairs
and have some cocoa.'

(Elizabeth)
'That's a good idea, Jim-Bob.'

(Ben)
'Can we, mama?'

(Olivia)
'Would I be crazy
if I said yes?'

(John)
'You would go ahead anyway.'

(Olivia)
'Alright, but don't
dirty the kitchen.'

(all)
'Yay!'

(John)
'You know, cocoa's
not a bad idea.'

'Want some?'

(Olivia)
'Why not?'

[theme music]