Credit for direct quotes from this episode goes to the writers and producers of "The Waltons."
Most of our memories of growing up on Waltons Mountain are good ones. But there did come a time in the Fall of 1939 when a dark remembrance from Elizabeth's childhood rose to haunt everybody in our house.
October 30, 1939
Haunting music was playing on a terrifying Ferris wheel ride.
"Please someone, let me down!" 11-year old Elizabeth Walton called out. "Come on, somebody, let me down!" the girl's cries were incessant.
The Ferris wheel kept spinning faster and faster. The poor girl felt like she was going to fall off the crazy ride!
"I'm gonna fall! Somebody let me off!" Screamed Elizabeth. Still no one came to her aid.
"Somebody, let me down!"
Faster and faster the ride spun. What had begun as fun was now torture! The girl was about to jump off the ride. This wasn't fun anymore!
Finally, the ride stopped. Unfortunately, Elizabeth's car was at the top.
The girl cringed as she looked down at the Ferris wheel frame and how far she was from the ground. Her head spun. She began to get dizzy and not see things clearly. Elizabeth felt like she was in a fog!
She thought she might throw up. Suddenly, she felt herself falling out of the Ferris wheel car. She gasped, unable to breathe. She thought she might die! The ground seemed so far away. She screamed.
Suddenly, she heard a thud sound. She realized she had hit something.
Elizabeth opened her eyes as she fell down the stairs of her home. It had all been a dream. But how did she get to the stairs.
Elizabeth gasped for a few seconds. Then she did the only thing she thought to do.
"Mama!" the frightened girl called for her mother.
Elizabeth began to cry.
The lights turned on. John and Olivia rushed to their daughter.
"Elizabeth!" Olivia gasped.
"Oh Elizabeth! Is she okay?" John was concerned.
"She scared me to death!" Jason gasped.
Zeb and Esther came out from their room, right next to where Elizabeth had fallen. The elderly couple surveyed the scene.
"What's goin' on up there?" Zeb asked.
John spoke to his father. "Pa, it's Elizabeth. She's had a dream."
"That's the second dream she's had this week." Esther remarked, concerned about her granddaughter. "Something's working on that child."
Joy held onto Erin's hand.
"Is she okay?" Erin asked.
"She's all right." John said, helping Elizabeth to her feet. "Stand up, Honey. Are you all right? Does it hurt?"
John picked Elizabeth up and carried her up the stairs. "Back to bed everyone." He said. "It's all right Honey, it's all right." He assured Elizabeth.
The children did as their father said and returned to their rooms.
John set gently Elizabeth down on her bed. Olivia sat next to her, put her arms around her, and let her cry.
Joy sat next to Erin on her bed.
"Shh…" Olivia soothed Elizabeth.
"I couldn't get off!" Elizabeth choked out.
"You're dreaming about that Ferris wheel again." Said Olivia.
Elizabeth nodded. "Then it started going faster." Elizabeth gasped, still catching her breath. "And then I started to fall!"
"Well you're safe now."
Elizabeth sobbed.
"It's all right." Olivia whispered, rocking Elizabeth.
"Can you leave the lights on?" Elizabeth asked.
Olivia smiled. "I'm gonna stay right here with you until you're asleep."
"You don't have to do that Mama. Elizabeth, you can sleep with me if you'd like." Erin offered.
Elizabeth nodded.
"Thanks Erin." Olivia smiled.
Erin gave Joy a hug and the 4-year old returned to her own bed.
Elizabeth went over to her older sister's bed and climbed in. Olivia tucked the girls in.
Erin stroked Elizabeth's hair.
"Do you want me to sit here for a while?" Olivia asked.
"I'll be all right." Elizabeth said. Her voice almost sounded like she would cry again.
"Are you sure?" Olivia asked.
Elizabeth nodded her head. "Yeah."
Erin rubbed Elizabeth's shoulder.
Olivia smiled and nodded to the light. "I'm gonna leave that light on right there." She bent down and hugged her daughter. "Oh, it's all right Sweetheart." She brushed Elizabeth's tears away.
Olivia went over and kissed Joy. "Goodnight Darling."
"Night Mama."
Olivia walked by Erin and Elizabeth's bed. Olivia took hold of Elizabeth's hand. "All right?"
Elizabeth nodded.
Olivia walked over to the other side of the bed. She bent down and kissed Erin's forehead. "Goodnight Erin."
"Night Mama."
"I'm gonna leave the door wide open and leave the light on in the hallway, all right?"
The girls nodded.
Olivia smiled. "Night."
Erin looked at Elizabeth. Elizabeth began sobbing again. Erin hugged her.