In this special of 1982 the scene is located in 1947 at Thanksgiving Day.
Olivia is staying in hospital, where she is recovering from surgery, so she can't come home neither can
John Sr., John Boy, Jason, Paul & Erin and Drew. And that's the reason why Elizabeth is feeling quite sad: the family isn't together on Walton's Mountain at Thanksgiving Day.

But when John Boy decides to come home to recover from his mental block and John Sr. comes home, because Olivia strongly insisted, the family is reunited after all.

At the end of the story the whole family and many of their friends are sitting down at the table for their Thanksgiving supper. Mary-Ellen starts the prayer

Earl has the following wise words:
There is in the wonder of childhood the magic of believing. The all entrusting sensitive mind that reaches out to be touched. Our grandfather's long presence on this mountain made him live on in the lives of the family who cherished him. Somehow unto even a great grandson he never new. Blessings need not always be understood, only deeply felt. That Thanksgiving Day in 1947 became a day of release and discovery I'd come home again and home was still there.

In the Good night wishes John Sr. starts to sing the song "Let me call you sweetheart" and everyone joins so they end up like a real choir !