Thursday, Lafayette, Indiana

On this day in 1981 CBS aired a holiday movie entitled The Homecoming: A Christmas Story. It turned into a series the following year called The Waltons. It depicted the life of a large, poor family living through the Depression and World War II. It was narrated from the point of view of the older son, John Boy Walton, who was remembering the joyous and challenging events of his early life on Walton Mountain in rural Virginia. The family all worked at the saw mill of their father and grandfather.

The show’s story lines featured life lessons recognized by every viewer, even as the setting was demonstrably distinct for their own. John and Olivia Walton are kind and loving parents to their seven children. And in turn they live in respectful deference of John’s own father and mother living under the same roof.

Episodes often included visiting strangers traveling through the area who needed help and shelter. And of course the Walton family was renown for its open hospitality and inviting warmth. The most memorable part of the show was its unique ending. As each episode closed we see the Walton House at night, with only one room’s light still on, and we hear the family say goodnight to each other.

"Good night, John Boy; Good night Elizabth; Good night Jim Bob…"

The program endured a significant casting disruption when lead actor Richard Thomas, John Boy himself, left the show after four years to pursue other roles. But the show survived for another five years before its end in 1981. The show had a few famous guest actors, including Beulah Bondi (you remember her as George Bailey’s mother in It’s A Wonderful Life) and comic actor John Ritter, playing a minister, right before his stardom in Three’s Company. In the latter half of the 1976-77 season, Ellen Corby, who portrayed Grandma Esther Walton had a stroke, interrupting her participation for a time. And then yet another disruption when veteran character actor Will Geer, Grandpa died during the off season.

All these events became part of the show’s scripts, which also followed the historical realities of the Depression and, significantly World War II. And it seems that one after another, the parents and siblings leave or die off. In every case, the show’s writers handled the stories deftly and believably.

Despite its setting in a curious and dour period of American life, The Waltons endured for nearly a decade winning several emmy’s and a consistent audience.

One of the strongest appeals of The Waltons was its theme of enjoying life with less material blessing. Set squarely in poor, rural Virginia during the great Depression, the family coped with their challenges using the principle resource of each other’s love and caring. It also featured the uncompromising respect for the wisdom and honor of three separate generations. The grandparents, parents and children were all esteemed.

In modern life, with its intense focus on individual empowerment and personal significance, we are missing the profound assets offered by extended family love and intergenerational mentoring. It’s easy to dismiss as corny the simplicity of the Waltons, but such criticism is mere cynicism and a mask for the longing many people feel for the respect and care of others. How many of us could use some down time enjoying the warm hearth and kitchen of the simple family on Walton Mountain.

Goodnight, Will Boy