Springtime in 1935 took its own sweet time coming to us. Much of March still felt like the dead of Winter. Then the 12th of April came and brought sunshine like we hadn't seen since the previous Fall. In an instant, we knew Spring was here! But none of us knew that "the sun" in our family would disappear soon. None of us would forget that Thursday in late April.
April 25, 1935
"Mornin', John-Boy." Olivia said.
"Mornin' Mama. Has someone fed the chickens yet?"
"Jim Bob just got back from it." Olivia smiled.
"Tell him thank you. I've gotta get a start on the paper articles." He paused. "What day is it Mama?"
"Thursday."
"I'm sorry, I meant the date."
"April 25th."
"Oh crap, I have to publish that article on Ike and Corabeth's wedding! It's due tomorrow!" John-Boy exclaimed.
"John George Walton! I won't have you talkin' like that under my roof!" Olivia reprimanded.
"I'm sorry Mama. I'm just stressed. Everyone wants something from me and I can't do it all. I won't even BEGIN to talk about finals week coming up."
"Just three more weeks, John-Boy. I know that may not seem like much encouragement, but keep that in mind. It won't last forever." Olivia smiled.
John-Boy sighed. A slight smile spread across his face. "Thank you Mama. I feel better."
"I'm glad." She smiled. "You're about to turn 19 and I sometimes don't know if my words make a difference anymore."
"Well they do." He stood up and kissed his mother's cheek. "I love you so much Mama. Thank you."
"I love you."
John-Boy sighed. "I'd better get to work. I'm glad I don't have classes today."
"I'm glad you don't either. God knows how busy you'd be with a class on top of the paper."
"See ya later Mama." He replied.
"Bye."
Soon John-Boy's six younger siblings were off to school. John-Boy smiled as he watched them. Their personalities shown through even as they walked. Anyone could tell from miles away that Jim Bob and Ben were best friends. They could also tell that Mary Ellen and Erin got on each others' nerves. Jason was quiet but caring. He adored his little sister Elizabeth as much as she adored and looked up to him.
Earlier that Spring, John and Olivia had surprised their children with the exciting news that they would have another sibling. For now, everyone was anticipating the coming of Fall as the baby was due in September.
Dr. Vance had some concerns for Olivia. It had been nearly seven years since Elizabeth was born. Olivia had contracted and gotten over polio a year ago. She would be turning 36 years old in May. She was still in her twenties when Elizabeth was born. But John and Olivia were confident that this baby would be just as healthy as their other seven children.
That night after school, everyone did their chores and homework. John-Boy was writing in his room upstairs when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in." he replied.
"Hey John-Boy."
"Well, hi there Jim Bob. How are you doing, little brother?"
"Good. How 'bout yourself?"
"Well, I'm kinda at a writers' block right now. What did you need?"
"I need help with my history."
"Well, I'm not the greatest at history, but I'll see what I can do to help."
"I don't know why Miss Hunter makes us learn all this junk. It's so boring."
"I used to think that too, Jim Bob. But you just have to find a way to get yourself interested. It's like solving a problem, how can I get this to work for me? You see what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, I do." Jim Bob paused. He wrote something down. "Is that the correct answer?"
John-Boy looked at his brother's paper. "1860, the year Abraham Lincoln was elected. That's right Jim Bob."
Jim Bob smiled. "Thanks John-Boy."
"You're welcome, little brother!" John-Boy grinned.
Later that evening, John came in from the mill. He had had an especially frustrating day.
"Everyone wants something from me. When will they learn that I can't give them everything they want, Olivia?" he sighed.
Olivia rubbed her husband's shoulders. "Why don't you forget that all now. During the day, you may be John Walton, Walton Mountain's lumber man. But at night, you're just John, father of seven, soon to be eight, a beloved son and adored by his wife."
John smiled. "Thanks Liv."
Olivia called everyone to supper.
"What are we having, Mama?" Ben asked.
"Hamburgers." She replied.
"My favorite." Ben smiled, sitting down.
Soon, everyone else bounded down the stairs.
"John, can you put that paperwork down long enough to eat supper with your family?" Olivia asked.
John came over in a couple minutes. "I'm sorry everyone."
Jason sat next to John-Boy and exchanged a glance with his brother. They could both sense the frustration their father was going through with his work.
"Let's pray everyone." Zeb said.
With that, everyone held hands.
Zeb began his prayer. "Father, thank you for this meal. Thank you for the beautiful Spring day that you gave us and the reminders that life is in your plan. Thank you for loving us and caring for us. We give you all the honor and glory. Amen."
"Amen." Everyone said.
"Pass the mustard, Daddy." John-Boy said.
"Shouldn't there be a 'please' there John-Boy?"
"Sorry Daddy, could you please pass the mustard?"
"Ben has it."
"Just a second John-Boy and I'll pass it to you." Ben said, squirting mustard onto his hamburger. He then passed it to John-Boy.
"Can I get a slice of cheese, Daddy?" asked Erin.
"Here you go Erin. Say please next time, okay." John replied, somewhat exasperated.
"Thanks."
"Daddy, can I please have the ketchup." Jason asked.
"When will you children learn to say please?!" John shouted.
The room fell silent.
"He did John." Olivia replied softly.
John sighed. "Jason, I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Jason whispered.
"Here's the ketchup." John passed the bottle down to his second oldest son. "Can you pass the lettuce?"
"Sure Daddy." Jason said very softly.
John-Boy patted Jason on the shoulder.
"Is everything okay Daddy?" Mary Ellen asked.
"Everything's fine Honey."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. I just had kind of a busy day today. I'm sorry for yelling."
"It's all right." She replied.
After supper, the kids sat around the radio and listened to their favorite programs.
Olivia glanced at John. He was grasping his chest.
"John, are you all right?"
Then he collapsed.
"John!" she ran to her husband's side. "John-Boy, Jason!"
The boys ran to their mother.
The girls stood around, all crying.
"Please God, let Daddy be all right." Elizabeth whispered.