03x14 - The Birthday

[bunniefuu]

(john-boy) the spring of

was a particularly good
one on walton's mountain.

peach blossoms
exploded in a pink mist

and the mallards built their nests
early along the rockfish river.

spring's arrival
was so magnificent

that it left us unprepared for
anything that might in any way

deny the beauty of life.

Saw's so loud, I can't
hear myself think.

[Saw whirring] what'd you say?

I can't hear a thing over
the yowling of this machine.

I said, that saw is so loud,
I can't hear myself think.

[Metallic clanking]

[Exclaiming]

It's that coil of wire there.

We got any more wires?

Some on the back
porch, I'll go get it.

Oh, no, don't go.

Why don't we both go and pick
up our fishin' rods and go fishin'?

That sure sounds good, pa.

Between the of us, we could
catch a mess of fish for supper.

No, there's too much work
to do. I'll go get that wire.

No, no. You... You go load,
and I'll go get the wire.

I might get a
mouthful of fresh air.

Why, we're as cooped up
in here as those chickens.

All right, but don't
wander off, now.

You know better than that.

Where'd you say the wire was?

In that cabinet
on the back porch.

♪♪[Grandpa singing]

♪ A soldier's praise at arms ♪

♪ In my heart I'll always keep ♪

[Tapping feet] ♪ the
independent farmer ♪♪

♪♪[Humming]

[Gasping]

[Crashing]

[Bell chiming] hi, mrs. Walton.

Ike, the mail come in by any
chance? Yeah, sure it did.

This jelly is good. You know
there are only of them left.

Anytime you wanna make
jelly, you just bring it in.

You'll make me real happy.

Yeah, well, next time I
need some extra money,

I'll think about it.

Uh, maybe when the
peaches ripen up.

Hey, that's a good idea. I
like peach better than quince.

I bet it'd sell better than quince.
Ike, is there any mail for me?

Oh, yeah, there is mail
for you, mrs. Walton.

(Grandma) excuse
me, mrs. Tanner.

Here it is.

I couldn't help but notice
the, uh, return address.

[Bell chiming] I'm sure of that.

Boatwright university?

Now, you just forget you saw
these tickets. They're a surprise.

Oh, I'm real good at keepin'
surprises, mrs. Walton.

Yeah, well, uh, that's why I needed
that jelly money, to buy these tickets.

They're for... They're for
the fitzsimmons lecture

At the boatwright
auditorium next friday night.

Is that the lecture
about tahiti?

Yeah. Next... Next week
is zeb's rd birthday

And I wanted to do
something very special for him.

Boy, zeb will sure like that.

Now don't you even tell
john-boy what I've been up to.

I... I want to surprise
the whole family.

Now, you remember,
keep my secret.

Restin', huh? I found the wire.

We'll be back to
work in a jiffy.

Should've went fishin' for sure.

Come on, pa, we'll
never get finished.

Oh, it's that back porch.

The kid's have got everything in such
a clutter there, you can't find anythin'.

Well, it was neat
as a pin yesterday.

Maybe jim-bob, workin'
on that scooter of his.

[Laughing]

[Machine whirring]

[Dog barking]

Whoa, whoa.

Excuse me, grandpa, I
didn't see you. Are you ok?

Oh, just drive carefully.

[Sighing]

Whoa, what's your hurry?

Daddy, it's my turn, and
he won't let me have it.

Why don't you give
your sister a turn?

Then wash up. It's
time for supper.

I fixed it. She's
just bein' a crybaby.

You mind what I say, son.

You all right, pa?

Well enough, I just
stopped to catch my breath.

Yeah, it's been a long day,
I'm kind of bone-weary myself.

Supper, everyone!
Jim-bob, elizabeth.

John-boy, mary
ellen, supper's ready.

Yeah.

Slow down, mary ellen.

Sorry I'm late, livie. I
ran into mrs. Brimmer.

And she invited
me in for some tea.

I just lost all track of time.

Never mind, grandma.

Erin and I got everythin'
ready just fine.

Oh, good lord, I'm
forgettin' everything today.

Do we have any of
that black bindin' left?

I don't know,
grandma, I think so.

Well, I wanted to
pick up some at ike's

So as I could mend zeb's
good jacket tonight.

Remember how he split it

Dancin' at our
wedding anniversary?

Well, if we don't have any, we
can always get it tomorrow.

No, I wanna do it tonight.

Never can tell when some
special occasion might be comin' up.

What's for supper, liv?

Chicken and potatoes.

Good.

Esther, you got men
here as hungry as bears,

You better feed us
before we give out.

I get the first
ride after supper.

I fixed it, so I get to
say who rides on it.

But I helped you fix it.

(Jim-bob) all you did
was hold the bolts.

You wiener.

[Exclaims]

Jim-bob, why do you have
to leave this thing here?

Put it out on the porch.

I can't. Elizabeth
will steal it.

(Olivia) jason, you
take it out, please.

Why do I have to do
it? It's his scooter!

Jason, please.

Come on, everybody.
Let's sit down to the table.

Come on, supper's ready.

Hurry up, son.

(John) pa, say grace
tonight, please.

[Sighing]

Hurry up.

(Olivia) thank
you, jason. Quiet.

Lord, we thank
thee for the bounty

That has been bestowed
upon this table.

We also hope for
the continued blessing

Upon this home and this family.

Amen. (All) amen.

We also wanna thank you

For the beautiful spring
that you have provided us

With its peach blossoms
and the trailing arbutus

So magnificently in bloom now

With its pinky-white flowers
and its leathery green leaves

On the slope of
walton's mountain.

We also want to thank you for the
early return of the mallard ducks.

The children enjoyed
them greatly last year

And they will continue to
do so again this year, I am sure.

Now, dear lord, is as good
a time as any to thank you

For the continued
health of this family.

We are eternally
grateful, dear lord,

That this continued
blessing... Amen.

Soup's gettin' cold, pa. Well.

[Cutler rattling] I get a leg.

I had the most interesting
french class today.

The teacher was showing
slides of paris, france.

And we were lookin' at slides of,
ooh, the arch of triumph and the...

And the eiffel tower, I should
probably say the tour eiffel...

tour eiffel, huh? Pretty fancy.

fermez la bouche, kid!

All right, you two. Eat up.

I haven't been to
paris in years.

Pretty soon I'll
be as old as you, pa.

A man is only as
old as he feels.

Livie, this soup is delicious.

Thank you, grandpa. Erin
helped with the seasonin'.

Erin, you keep on puttin'
herbs on everything,

You'll get to be as good
a cook as your mama.

Thank you, grandpa. I hope so.

You wanna help me with
grandpa's birthday dinner?

(Erin) sure! What'll we make?

(Olivia) well, I
think we'll have

Some sweet potatoes
and some green beans

And little onions
from the garden.

And if your daddy doesn't sh**t
a turkey, I've got a nice ham curin'.

Gotta have somethin'
special for grandpa's dinner.

Livie, you're makin' my
mouth water already.

(John) I see you gettin' fat
as you think about it, pa.

Well.

[John laughing]

Zeb and I won't be eatin'
home on his birthday.

How's that? Where's he going?

Well, I've eaten every meal
for years almost, right here

And i... I don't intend to eat
elsewhere on my birthday.

We're eatin' out.

Here!

Oh.

I didn't want to tell you yet,

It was supposed
to be a surprise.

I sold jars of
my jelly at ike's

And I used the
money for tickets

For mr. Fitzsimmons'
lecture on tahiti.

And he's talkin' at the
auditorium on your birthday.

Esther walton! I've been wantin' to hear
that man lecture for over years now.

I know that.

And I decided it was about
time you got your chance.

Well, you can still
have your dinner here.

I'll drive you to
the lecture after.

No, thank you, john-boy.
I still have $ . Left.

And I would like to take your
grandpa to a restaurant for supper.

Supposed to be a surprise, but
that old man went and spoiled it.

Oh, I did not.

Esther walton, this has been the
biggest surprise I've had in many a year.

You know, I read
about that lecture

And I could just picture myself
sittin' there in the auditorium

But I didn't dream
I'd get there.

Why, he'll be showin' his
pictures, his slides, on tahiti.

All the natives, and all.

[Laughing] come with me, esther.

Take me back to your
wicky-wacky-woo, yeah.

(Grandpa) tahiti.
Tahiti. Tahiti.

♪ Oh, wicky-wacky
wicky-woo-woo ♪

♪ Eh, wicky-wacky
wicky-woo-woo-wicky ♪♪

[Crashing] pa!

Zeb!

John, olivia, I'll be
as direct as I can.

Your father's had
a mild coronary.

A heart att*ck?

It's mild, he
should be all right.

Mrs. Walton,

Your husband can't
have milk just yet.

Come on and sit yourself down.

In order for him to get
better as quickly as possible,

You're going to be especially
careful about his food.

What can't he have besides milk?

Well, he'll be able to have milk in a
couple of days if you skim off the fat.

Right now he can't have eggs,
or cream, or cake, or salt.

(John) that doesn't
sound too good.

Uh, this is standard treatment
for a coronary patient, john.

Of course, your
father is years old,

So we can't just shrug it off.

Of course, if he
keeps to his diet,

Gets plenty of rest,

Chances are he'll recover and
be his old self in a month or so.

[Chuckles] he's
pretty spry at .

Now, you make sure

Mr. Walton takes one
of these every hours.

He's going to be all
right, mrs. Walton.

John, make sure your mother
understands about the medicine.

It will make his
heart b*ating regular

And make him feel
relaxed enough to sleep.

According to
dr. Mcivers, he's not...

He's not too bad.

I sure hope he's right.

(John) he's not a young man.

Can't expect he's gonna
get up tomorrow morning

And everything is
gonna be fine and dandy.

I just can't imagine
what it would be like

Not to have that old man
stompin' around anymore.

Tell you the truth,

Ever since we put him to bed,

That's all I've been
able to think about.

Oh, daddy.

If you don't mind, son, I'd like to be
here a few minutes alone with him.

[Door closing]

Daddy?

(John) come in.

I thought you girls
went to bed an hour ago.

We did, but none
of us could sleep.

Daddy, is grandpa
gonna be all right?

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Daddy, we wanna know.

Is grandpa gonna be all right?

I don't know. We're gonna
have to wait and see.

Your grandpa's
had a heart att*ck.

Not a very bad one

But he's gonna need a
lot of rest and quiet.

More important,

He's gonna need some
cheerin' up from you.

We've gotta help him believe

He's gonna get better real soon.

Well, how can we do that
if we don't know it's true?

[Clearing throat]

You're just gonna
have to believe

That if we do what
the doctor says,

Things will work out fine.

[Crickets chirping]

[Cutlery rattling]

Good morning, grandma.
Let me fix you some breakfast.

No, thanks. Just coffee.

What's that for?

It's time for grandpa's pill.

Well, he's sleepin' like a
baby, he don't need a pill.

[Sighing]

Ma, dr. Mcivers wants
him to take them.

Uh, oh, livie, uh, I've
been looking all over

For that double-duty
black mendin' thread.

Don't we have any left?

It's in the back of the sewing
basket under the patching material.

I... I'll look again.

Oh, oh, john-boy,
could you stop by ike's

And get me some black bindin'?

I'll need it if I'm gonna finish
your grandpa's jacket by friday.

(John-boy) grandma.

Uh, a yard will do it.

She will not admit that
there's anything wrong with him.

[Door closing]

Maybe I ought to
give grandpa his pill.

I'll give it to him.
Make sure he gets it.

Time for grandpa's pill.

Where are they?

Grandma?

I wish you'd stop frettin'
about those foolish pills.

They're not worth the
money we paid for 'em.

Maybe, maybe not.

But I think we ought to
do what the doctor says.

At least till he comes by, then
maybe we can talk to him about it.

They're in the top drawer
of my dresser, left side.

[Groaning] grandpa.

Time for your medicine.

Mmm-hmm.

Here you go.

Wide, wide.

Some water.

You want any breakfast?

No. No?

Ok. Can I get you
anything at all?

No, no, no.

Grandma...

Have a nice day at
school, john-boy.

Mom, you know that boy I told
you about? Michael murphy?

Today he was
wearin' a purple shirt.

He's got the worst
taste. He's a dreamboat.

He plays real good baseball.

It's been real good
baseball weather lately.

I'm just thinkin' of
the hilarious thing

That happened to me
in french class today.

(Jim-bob) what's
"hilarious" mean?

It means really, really funny.

We were supposed to be listening
to a real french lady speak french

On a phonograph record,

So we were all being very quiet.

And the teacher
puts on the record

And all of a sudden, this
big man's voice booms out...

[Speaking russian]

And the teacher
turned pale as a sheet

Because she had put on
the russian language record

Instead of the french
language record.

What's so hilarious about that?

Nothing.

Uh, grandma, why don't
you make some of that

Good beef stew of yours
for supper tomorrow night?

Oh, I've got too much
work to do on that jacket.

Why are you mending
grandpa's jacket?

So he can wear it to
the lecture friday night.

He's gonna look even more
handsome than he did years ago.

Grandma, suppose he's
not well enough to go

All the way to
westham on friday night?

Zeb will be up and
around in... In a day or so.

He's as strong as an ox.

His... His body just
had a shock, that's all.

John, I'm worried about you.

You look tired. You
workin' too hard?

I'm all right, pa. Now, why
don't you try to eat somethin'?

Oh, I'm just not very
hungry, that's all.

I think you ought to try anyway.

John,

Your mother's set on my
goin' to that lecture on friday.

Now, I'm not gonna be able
to be up and around by then.

I just hate to
disappoint her so.

Pa, please don't
worry about that.

Well, I'm really not very
much good to any of you, am i?

Will you stop feelin'
sorry for yourself?

If you sit up a little, I'll fix
these pillows, and you can eat.

[Sighing]

I just hate to disappoint her.

Pa, will you eat?

Liv, I'm really worried
about that old man.

He couldn't even sit up
and eat his supper tonight.

We expected him
to be tired, john.

I know,

But I think a lot
has to do with ma,

Her not acceptin'
the fact he's sick.

He spends so much time pretendin'
he's not whenever she's around

He wears himself out.

Her workin' on that
jacket night and day

Doesn't help him.

[Sighing]

I'll speak to your mama, john.

I know what she's doin'.

I'd probably do the same thing

If it was you lyin' in that bed.

I'd hang onto straws

And try to pretend that
everything was the same as always.

[Birds chirping]

John, you better get
goin', you're gonna be late.

All right, liv. Didn't you
want me to take somethin'

Over to reverend
fordwick, some jam?

Yes, if you have time
to stop on the way.

He's been a real comfort
these past few days.

Not so you'd notice.

Comes in here with
a face a mile long.

He's just concerned, grandma.

Ma, maybe reverend fordwick
would enjoy that fitzsimmons lecture.

He could take rosemary
hunter. What do you say?

Those tickets are spoken for.

Your father's been wanting
to hear that man for years

And he's gonna hear him!

We're going to boatwright
auditorium friday night,

And that's that.

John, let me.

Grandma?

Grandma.

I don't know what got into john.

He knows how much his father
wants to go to that lecture.

The idea of him just
giving those tickets away...

Grandma, listen to me...

And you're just as bad as he is.

You went right along,
knowing how I'd feel!

Grandma, you know that grandpa's
not gonna be out of that bed by friday.

He will.

No, grandma, no.

L... Livie, he...

Why don't you just stop
tryin' to be so strong

And give in to what you feel?

I can't, liv, I can't.

I've slept next to him,
I've worked next to him,

I've loved him
for over years.

How in the world am I
gonna live without him?

[Crying]

Esther, you remember when
I went to borrow a hacksaw

From your papa,

And you was sittin' on
the front porch, sewin'?

Zeb, could you lean forward
so I can get your lower back?

I hadn't realized you
were so grown up

And I was surprised to see
you sit there smilin' so pretty.

I wasn't smilin'.

Well, maybe you was
pretendin' not to smile

But you was smilin'
just the same.

Raise your arm, zeb.

Now, zeb, you've gotta help if
you want me to get this finished.

Oh, fussbudget.

You were sittin' there so
pretty with your back so straight,

Like you always do

And your pink checked dress.

A little wisp of your
brown hair tumblin' down

Over your white starched collar.

It was a yellow striped dress.

Well, whatever it was, I couldn't
keep my eyes from offen you.

You were sittin' there,
looking down at your sewin'

[Chuckling] like your
neck was stuck.

Oh, it was the pink glow in
your cheeks that got to me.

That's when I fell for you.

Boy, you was a smart
one, even then, esther.

Zeb, the, uh, strawberries are
almost ripe on walton's mountain

And I think you better stop lookin'
backwards and start lookin' ahead.

I won't be pickin'
strawberries this year, esther.

You haven't missed a wild strawberry
crop since you were able to walk

And you're not gonna
start with this one.

Esther,

I love you more now

Than I did the
day I married you.

You grow on a man.

You know how you grow?

Heavy.

You're not even listenin'
to a word I say, old woman.

I heard everything you said.

Come on.

Now, take it easy.

Just take it easy and slow.

Esther, it would be nice to
go up on walton's mountain

[Children chattering] and
see all those blossoms.

And I'd even like to go outside

And watch the young'uns playin'.

Now sit back and rest. Come on.

Sounds to me like they're havin' a
real good time with that scooter.

[Children shouting]

Zeb, mmm-hmm.

How would you like to sit in that
chair by the window for a while?

Oh, esther. Oh, I
would love that.

Oh, I would dearly love to.

Sit still. Come on.

I'll get john-boy. Just rest.

John-boy?

(John-boy) yes, ma'am.

Come down here.

I want you to go in
and help your grandpa

Into that chair by the window.

You think he's up to it?

Just do as I say.

You wanna sit over there?

Ok, come on.

Wait a minute. Just put
your legs over on the floor.

Slide 'em over easy.

No, don't try to get up,
just slide your legs over.

Ok, put your arm around me.

[Sighing]

Don't worry, I can hold you.

Ok, ready?

Count. , , , Up.

[Exclaiming]

[Both chuckling]

You are too heavy for me.

I'll go get jason,
he'll help us.

Jason. Come on, yeah,
you just lie down.

Jason.

Back in there.

I'll get jason,
we'll get you up.

What? John-boy,

I've been in bed
here, now, weeks,

And I'm not gettin' any better.

Don't be ridiculous.

Dr. Mcivers says your
heart is stronger every day.

Listen.

Listen. I was walkin'
down by the meadow today

And I saw a whole
flock of goldfinches

In a wild cherry tree

And every limb was
alive with gold and singin'

And I saw that and I
thought about you

And how much
you'd appreciate it.

So you just wait there,

And jason and I will put
you over on the window seat

And you can sit and see the
willow tree and watch the children.

John-boy, t-there is somethin'
I want you to do for me.

Sure.

I want you to go
to charlottesville

To henry ferris',
the stonemason,

And pick me out a
real nice headstone.

I don't wanna do that.

I'm never gonna
see those mountains

Or the trees on 'em
again, and you know it.

You keep talkin' that way,
you gonna make me angry.

John-boy, I asked you
to do something for me.

All right.

You want a tombstone,

I'll get you a tombstone.

[Hammer tapping]

What can I do for you?

Mr. Ferris?

He's out right now. I'm his son.

Um, well, I have to buy a stone.

For my grandfather.

[Door opening]

Thank you for comin'
along with me, livie.

I just felt prayer would help.

I think grandpa seems a little
stronger today, don't you?

You know, I keep thinking
about what dr. Mcivers said

That first night about
keepin' up his spirits.

I didn't think you heard him.

Oh, I heard.

But, you know, lying in
that room, day after day,

Now how in the world
can zeb keep up his spirits?

Last night, when I was fixin'
his bed, he asked me to see

How soon john could
move him outside.

Well then, maybe we
should start listenin' to zeb

And doin' what he wants.

Now, there's a big savings
if you choose one like this.

Is your grandma still among us?

Yes, she's alive.

Now, if you buy this half now

And the other piece later,

Your grandpa and grandma can be
joined together when the time comes

And cupid will be
smiling down on them

Right between
these stones here.

What're your grandpa
and grandma's names?

Zebulon and esther.

We've got these real pretty
sayings here that rhyme,

That I can carve
right into the stone.

Like, "here lies,
esther and zebulon.

Uh... Bless the earth"...

John-boy, is that you?

Yes, it is.

Did you do what I
asked you to do?

No, I didn't.

You didn't?

When do you expect to
get over to the stone yard?

I went over to the
stone yard, grandpa,

Because you asked me to.

And if you want a tombstone,

You're just gonna have to pick
out your own when you get better.

John-boy.

John-boy!

That's not right, looks like
an elephant wearin' a hat.

It's supposed to be chance.

(Elizabeth) john-boy?

Yes, honey?

This looks like
chance, doesn't it?

What?

Well, doesn't it?

(John-boy) chance? Uh...

Well, it... It could look
like chance, sort of.

Could you help me?

I'm makin' it for grandpa,
but I can't do it right.

Why don't you ask your mama? She
knows a lot about that paintin' stuff.

She said she would after
supper, but I'm in a hurry.

Why?

'Cause she thinks
grandpa's gonna die.

Jim-bob.

Is he? Of course he's not.

[Hen clucking]

Well, he looks
so sad all the time.

He's sort of... He's sort of...

That's what's he's like.

I know.

I wish I knew what
to do about it.

If I was big and strong, I'd
carry him up to the mountaintop.

That would make him better.

Maybe it would.

We'll think of somethin'.

You know what we could do?

Yeah, tear up my painting. What?

We could take that old tent in
the barn and grandpa could live in it.

It'd be just like living on walton's
mountain, 'cause all he'd have to do

Is look under the
flap, and he'd see it.

It's a good idea, but
nobody would listen to us.

John-boy would.

(John) what are you up to, son?

Daddy.

Elizabeth and jim-bob came
up with an idea that's not bad.

[Sighing]

Grandpa's not gettin' any better
cooped up in that room of his.

I know. We got no choice.

Well, the children thought
maybe if we brought him outside

And put him in this tent here.

Turn the flaps up on the sides so he
could look out and see the mountain

And fill the tent with flowers and
plants and all the things he loves.

I don't know. We'd have to
talk to the doctor about that.

Where were you
thinkin' of putting it?

In the meadow behind the
barn. I'd mow the grass.

Come on, daddy. You
know, all he needs

Is to come out here and
take a look at all this beauty

And he's not gonna
let himself die.

Why don't you mow the
grass? We'll see about it.

Ok.

(Grandma) john, I don't
want any arguments.

(Olivia) we've come to
an important decision.

Well, now see, john-boy
and I were talkin' about this...

John, will you let us
speak first, please?

All right, ma, but then I have
something important to say, too.

Well, zeb's not getting any
better, cooped up in that room.

As a matter of fact,
he's gettin' worse.

That's just what I wanted
to talk to you about.

Well, zeb keeps talkin'
about seeing the mountain

And we think it's just
about time he got to see it.

You know somethin',
ma? You are right.

We thought if we could get him into
that old wheelchair we got when I was sick,

That we could wheel him
out onto the front porch...

What would you think about
givin' pa a brand-new bedroom?

Oh, no, he's not
goin' to any hospital.

Did I say anything
about a hospital?

Oh, no.

Then hear me out. Now, sit down.

[All chattering]

Mama, ike says we can borrow
this for as long as we need it.

(Olivia) that's nice of him.

Yeah, he also says that
when grandpa's feelin' better

He'd be pleased to come and
b*at him at a game of checkers.

When your grandpa's up to it,

No one can b*at him at checkers.

Where do you want this table?

(Grandma) right over here.
And put some flowers on it.

Ok.

(Mary ellen) grandma, I can't
get this corner to lay flat.

Just do what I do.

Bring this up here, fold
those under, bring it back down.

That's what I did, but
it still won't lay flat.

Looks fine.

I picked some daisies and
some of those purply flowers

That grandpa loves so
much. Where shall I put 'em?

Put them on the
nightstand next to the bed.

That way grandpa can
look at 'em all the time.

(Erin) elizabeth,
let's put 'em in here.

Looks beautiful.

What do you think, everybody?
(John-boy) it's gorgeous.

(Erin) looks real nice.
Looks all right to me.

Well, before you go get zeb,

Well, I'd just like to
say, uh, well, thank you

And wait till your
grandpa sees this.

[Children laughing]

(John-boy) well, we
better go get him.

You stay here now,
give him a welcome.

Ok.

Hello, john.

[Car door closing]

Just dropped in to
take a look at your pa.

What in the world is that?

And I'm glad you dropped by,
I wanted to share our plans.

We're gonna move pa outside.

Yeah, that's an old, uh, tent a
bunch of carnival people left with us.

We fixed it up like a bedroom,

And it has all of grandpa's
favorite things in it.

I don't think any
of you understand

The seriousness of
mr. Walton's condition.

I know I stressed the importance
of keeping his spirits up

But at this point, I feel that
his health would be endangered

If he was moved even as
far as your living room.

Uh, that... That tent's
out of the question.

John, he's not much better than
he was right after he had his att*ck.

See if you can get
him to eat something.

All right, doc.

Thank you.

I'll take the tent down.

I'll give you a hand.

Better go tell the children.

No, no.

I won't let you take
that old tent down.

We're gonna move zeb out there.

But grandma, we can't do that,
you heard what the doctor said.

I know what he said, but I
also know your grandpa.

And if we leave him in
that quiet, dark room

He's just gonna
wither up and die,

Just as sure as I'm
standin' by this couch.

I don't think so.

The doctor's the one who
knows about heart conditions.

He knows about other
people's heart conditions.

But I think I know more about
zeb's heart than anybody.

I've been a part
of it for years,

And that old man's heart
needs more than walls to mend.

It needs the sky
and the mountain.

And I think we better take
a chance on what I know.

Or it's gonna be too late.

Please.

All right, ma. We'll move him.

What's that thing for?

Pa, I want you to sit up and put
your legs over the edge of the bed.

Oh, I'm too tired.

Pa, try, please.

I am too tired.

We're gonna take you out of
here and get you some fresh air.

Now, come on.

What does the doctor say?

The doctor says
we shouldn't do it.

What does esther say?

She said she knows your heart
better than dr. Mcivers does

And we oughta give it
a chance. Now, come on.

Easy, pa, easy.

Wait a minute,
wait a minute, easy.

John-boy?

(John-boy) yeah?

Come in here and give us a hand.

Everything all
right? (John) yeah.

We're gonna get your
grandpa out of here.

Ok.

Here you go. Now,
pa, take it easy.

Feet on the floor.

Ok. I got him.
Easy, easy does it.

(John-boy) ok, straight back.

[Grunts]

[Sighing]

Here. Pull him
forward just a little.

Just a little more,
pa. Just sit up a little...

Just for a second.

[Birds chirping]

[Sighing]

What a handsome day.

Looks to me like livie's
been neglectin' the weeding.

I hope I can help her soon.

Plenty of weedin' to be
done, pa. Anytime you're ready.

Where is everybody? You'd
think somebody'd be around here

To see my return to the world.

(Jason) here they come.

(Mary ellen) hey,
get off the bed.

(Children) grandpa.

(Elizabeth) grandpa, we couldn't
bring you to the mountain

So we brought the
mountain to you.

(Ben) let's have a race in
this thing, grandpa, huh?

(Grandpa) where on
earth are we going?

(John) ben, easy.

Hold it, there's a
bump down here.

Let's just roll him down.

[All chattering]

(John) easy.

Here we are.

(Grandma) all right,
get him into bed now.

Ok. Come on, pa, easy.

Come on. Let me
take your blanket.

Here we go.

Got you. Got you,
we got you. Easy.

(Grandma) easy.

(John-boy) ok, almost there.

[John-boy laughing]

Ok, there you go.

[Grandpa sighing]

(Grandma) come on.

[Grandpa grunting]

One more.

(John) there you go.

[Grandpa panting]

Here, grandpa.

Daisy.

Well, if it's my time,

I wouldn't mind goin' here.

Zeb, the time has
come for livin'.

(Olivia) you need anything
from the house, grandma?

(Grandma) no, I'm just gonna
stay here quietly with zeb.

(John-boy) let's go,
come on, come on.

Bye-bye. (Olivia) have
a nice rest, grandpa.

(Grandma) bye.

(Elizabeth) bye, grandpa.

♪♪[Singing]

[Grandma shushing]

That's enough
excitement for one day.

[Crickets chirping]

Good mornin'.

Here's your order.

Here, pa. Hold this, son. Ok.

Sit up and have
some breakfast, pa.

Oh, I don't know.

Here you go. Easy.

(Grandma) pillow under there.

Here you go, breakfast
in bed, just like the hotel.

Grits. Grits.

Ma, why don't you go inside and have
some breakfast? We'll stay with pa.

No, I'd just leave stay.

Esther, you do like john says.

Your back must be stiff,
sittin' up in that chair all night.

Well, I'll be back
in half an hour.

Now, you behave yourself
while I'm gone, old man.

All right, ma, go ahead.

We'll watch him.

Orange juice, pa?

Orange juice.

Go ahead, take some.

I'll do that, grandma.
You just relax.

[Sighing]

He breathed so
heavy all night, livie.

Maybe we were wrong.

It was his first night, grandma.
We expected him to be tired.

Livie, did you ever stay
awake all night, listenin'?

Wondering if the last breath
you heard would be the last?

Livie, you know, i... I just put every
other sound right out of my mind.

I...

You know, all the night sounds
that when we're sittin' on the porch

And we're looking
forward to hearin'?

Well, I just
wouldn't permit them.

I only let the sound of
zeb's breathin' come in.

It was the longest
night of my life.

Grandma, you've
got to get some rest.

No, not now. I've gotta
get out to the tent.

Mama! Grandma!
Will you look at this?

He ate every bite on the tray.

[Crying]

John-boy, go turn down
the covers on grandma's bed?

(John-boy) yes, ma'am.

I think she's gonna
get some rest now.

(Mary ellen) I think
it's ridiculous

That we only put
candles on the cake.

Well, there wasn't room for .

We should have at least
filled the top of the cake.

This is ridiculous. It's
not even like a birthday.

Will you girls stop bickering?

This is much too special
a time for things like that.

Who's gonna start
happy birthday? I'll start...

(Mary ellen) ok, now wait a
minute, I have to go first,

I've got the cake.

(All) ♪ happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪

♪ Happy birthday dear grandpa ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you ♪♪

(John-boy) and many more.

It's high time.

You're almost
weeks late, you know.

Happy birthday, grandpa.

(Grandpa) ah, I think
this is gonna be about

The happiest
birthday I've ever had.

You know, there was a while I
didn't think I was gonna make it.

(Grandma) you're gonna
live to be , zeb.

Oh, it's a fact. I'm a
tough old rooster.

[Blowing]

[All cheering] yeah, grandpa.

Hey, hey, what's going on here?

Hey, hey.

(Ben) boy, would I
like to go there.

(Erin) maybe you will, one day.

(John-boy) "tahiti is an
island in the south pacific.

"It is , miles
from california

"And , miles
from new zealand.

"The major industries
are coconuts, coffee

And cocoa, and fishing."

Fishing. Esther,
how did you do it?

John-boy got the school to
lend him the whole shebang.

(Ben) boy, look at that.

(Jason) not you, ben.
You're too young.

(John-boy) "this lovely bather

"Is only minutes
from the road,

"But she enjoys
complete seclusion.

Except from the photographer."

Lucky fella.

Behave yourself.

(Grandpa) that'd be
the place to live.

It's pure heaven on earth.

(John-boy) "the dances portray
activities such as fishing

Fighting, or flirting."

(john-boy) and so my
grandfather was to recover

and to grow strong again

to savor the coming
and going of the seasons

the blossoming of the
peach trees in spring

the turning leaves of autumn

and always to enjoy the growth

of his sprawling
brood of grandchildren

as we were growing
up on walton's mountain.

[Crickets chirping]

(Elizabeth) grandpa?

(Grandpa) yes, elizabeth?

Is your heart all right now?

Well, all right now. It's
b*ating like all thunder.

Are you havin'
another heart att*ck?

No, your grandma just kissed me.

(Grandma) you old fool.

[Grandpa kissing]