Aging with The Waltons

[AR15]

In my opinion, The Waltons is something you can appreciate more and more as time goes by. When I first became a fan, I was about 15, and as a young teenager who wanted to be a writer, I related to John-Boy in the early seasons. Later, as an adult, I've related to John-Boy's struggles to find writing work again in Season 9. Just yesterday I re-watched The Children's Carol as a festive treat, and I found I had a greater interested in the storyline of Mary Ellen and John Curtis, as many people in my life have become parents and I understand the perspective more.

The Waltons is a show that tells the stories of characters from every age, and of many different backgrounds. Because of this, it's something that all ages can enjoy, but it also means that you can continue to find new ways to appreciate it, as the more life experience you have, the more you find different aspects true to life. I've only watched through three or four times, but each time I've found new things to appreciate about it, and I think that's part of the reason it's one of my favourite things

[Livie's Friend]

You prove yourself to be a very good writer, AR15, as I found myself shaking my head in agreement with your descriptions of how The Waltons take on new meaning as we grow and mature.

I have just finished watching the entire series twice and have started again on Season One.  Already, I see many things that I haven't observed before in these episodes.  

I relate a lot to Olivia (thus, my name on this Board) and also Grandma.  I laugh out loud when John chides his wife for always wanting him to be baptized.  "Liv, don't you ever give up?!"

Just as Olivia mellowed in the later seasons with regards to her zealousness for her family's salvation, so I too try to just live my faith rather than broadcast to my family.  But... I will be reading Grandpa's prayer in The Wedding episode to my family before we dig into the rib roast:

  "Help us to remember that family is for growin' up in, goin' away from, and for comin' back to."

Think I'll watch the Children's Carol tonight! 

Have a blessed Christmas season 

[Mrs. Ginny]

I have been watching The Waltons since my mid 20's when the show first aired and now I am 77 years old and in those early years of watching on the original run of the series, I really related to Olivia a lot as I was starting to raise my two daughters. Olivia to me was a very good example to watch as a mother as I was trying to form how i was mothering my own two young girls as the series went through its original run.

As I got older and continued to watch the series in syndication and now on these streaming channels, I seem to relate more to Esther and how she is more set in her ways. I am much more set in my ways now that I am in my 70's and can relate to Esther in some things she does. 

I do agree that The Waltons can be enjoyed by any age and anyone can get something positive from the show. 

[Eileen Grace]

Aging with the Waltons? Hmm, this to me is a really interesting concept. I was a young teenager when I started to watch The Waltons with my Mom and now I am 17 and I am still watching The Waltons and I love the show. I guess because of my age, I relate to the kids in the show more than the adults and mostly Erin because she thinks about boys a lot and well I do that to from time to time. I also have somewhat of a musical side to myself as I play the guitar and very little on the piano and sing so Jason I also compare myself to as well. 

I often wonder though and this topic kind of made me think more on the subject as I turn older and still watch the show if I will relate to some of the older characters like Olivia once I start having a family. Or maybe even Mary Ellen once she became older and had John Curtis.