Grandpa Walton

Grandpa Walton

I.

Four sterile walls.

A poster bed.

A shuttered window, beyond reach.

His heart needs rest,

the doctor orders.

If he leaves this room, he will die.

But an old farmer's heart

needs other things, too.

II.

I saw birds on the mountain today,

he tells his grandpa.

A flock of finches descending on a redbud,

like a burst of the purest sunshine.

III.

Each man is gifted his own corner of the world.

And this place — tended by generations

of matriarchs and patriarchs — is Grandfather's bounty.

His calloused fingertips have memorized

every leaf, petal, and fold of the gloves

he tugs on to begin a day's work.

His hands rehearse the motion now,

as he slumps in bed, cold as the grave.

III.

In a bloom of rebellion,

his family carries him into the morning air.

Now his mattress is wreathed with

daises, hollyhocks, roses, and coneflowers.

His back straightens as he looks to the mountain,

feathered in golden mist.

IV.

The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord's:

but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

-Psalm 115:16

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If something inspires me, it will inevitably end up in my writing. While I don't post everything I journal, I thought this piece might be worth sharing. It's based on an episode of The Waltons, a show my family and I have been watching recently. In the episode, Grandpa Walton has a heart attack, and is limited to strict bed rest for an indefinite amount of time. After several days of being unable to leave his room, he becomes convinced that he is dying. Knowing that the aging man craves the outdoors, his family pitches a tent in a meadow, creating a makeshift bedroom. Surrounded by loved ones and the beauty of nature, Grandpa begins to heal.

I've watched a lot of classic TV shows, but The Waltons has become one of my favorites. It's hard to describe why I find it so meaningful. Mainly, it represents so much of what is good and beautiful in our world. In an age full of chaos and brokenness, I need these reminders.

Thanks for taking the time to read my work! May your week be full of rich, ordinary gifts that remind you of the Father's kindness. ❤️

(If you're interested in watching The Waltons, I've streamed it on Amazon Prime. The series focuses on a farming family living during the Great Depression era, so certain scenes and plots are written from a very old-fashioned perspective. It also feels slower-paced than most modern shows, but I enjoy this aspect. Some of my favorite episodes have been "The Heritage", "The Choice", "The Birthday", and "The Burnout".)