The Gift

At about this time, Ron Howard did this episode for "The Waltons", and another episode for "M*A*S*H". He was excellent in both. Part of his success then, as now, is that he can pick great material. "The Waltons" specialized in inspiring, heartwarming stories, and this was near the top in that category. The Grandfather gives Jason some wisdom that few people ever acquire, and Jason goes on to go on living, even bearing a terrible sense of loss and injustice. This episode was especially touching for me because I saw it while I was working on a Doctoral Dissertaion which I was to eventually dedicate to 3 cousins who died while young and full of promise.