Published: September 28, 2007 05:23 pm            

REFLECTIONS: Life was good on Walton Mountain

If you remember the television show that consistently finished each episode with “Good Night John-Boy,” “Good Night Mary Ellen,” “Good Night Jim-Bob,” and “Good Night Elizabeth,” then you remember The Waltons. That sentimental, idealistic portrayal of a poor country family that lived on Walton Mountain, where all seven children, the mother and father and Grandma and Grandpa resided under the same roof.

Although they were a poor family, there was no indication of the things that are most often associated with poverty; filth, disrepair or debilitated living conditions. They were rich in other aspects of life and always seemed to have everything they needed.

I believe I was subconsciously, but inherently influenced by the countless Walton episodes I watched as a young girl. Olivia (Walton mother) did not influence my desire to cook and clean, but she epitomized patience, understanding, faithfulness and unconditional love.

What does television have to offer our younger generation these days? What kinds of things are subconsciously influencing them? Television shows that flippantly portray sex, violence, and drug and alcohol use as a normal way of life. Infamy belongs not to the hard working man who provides a good home for his wife and children, but to the rich and reckless.

Brittany Spears, a model wife and mother, (Not)! Paris Hilton, a rich party girl who cried her way out of trouble instead of quietly paying the consequences of her bad behavior. Michael Vick, a man who could have been a good role model to young black boys, now a victim of his unnecessary greed and foolish decision making.

Attention is drawn not to the young boy who pursues and fulfills his dreams of becoming a writer, but to the young men and women who are making millions playing poker. People are tricked into believing that gaining wealth can be as easy as pushing a red button and picking the briefcase with the correct monetary amount or singing the correct words to a song. And television commercials romanticize the use of credit cards to get the things you want.

People today, most importantly, young children, are constantly being bombarded with messages that continue to push our generation and future generations further and further away from the values of honesty, charity, hard work and the importance of family that the Waltons emphasized.

If you recall, they were always helping strangers in need. As little as they had, they always had enough to share with others.

I fear for the future of our country. As the quest for insurmountable wealth and fame continues to grow, fewer and fewer homes will be built on the foundation of love, caring, commitment and honesty. And our children and our children’s children will miss out on the thing that the rich and reckless media stars are desperately seeking – the inner peace and happiness that comes from growing up on Walton Mountain.

Linda Crist is a member of the Greater Niagara Newspapers advertising department and a Grand Island resident.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.