Original subtitles

COME ON, TUMBLEWEED.

COME ON. COME ON.

UP ON YOUR GAIT. COME ON.

GOOD.

HYAH!

COME ON, TUMBLEWEED!

THAT'S IT.

WHOO!

COME ON.

COME ON.

COME ON, GIRL.

GOOD GIRL.

LET'S GET THAT HOT SADDLE OFF OF YOU.

GIVE YOU A GOOD SPONGE-DOWN.

STOP WITH THAT UMBRELLA.

YOU'LL BREAK IT!

COME BACK HERE!

I GOT IT. I GOT IT.

BUTCH! AREN'T YOU COMING IN?

OW, OW, OW, OW!

A CRAB GOT ME!

JONI, WATCH OUT FOR CRABS!

JONI!

JONI!

BUTCH!

BUTCH, HELP!

BUTCH!

BUTCH! BUTCH, HELP!

BUTCH!

HEY, SOMEBODY NEEDS HELP.

BUTCH!

I GOT HER.

I GOT HER BACK.

BUTCH, I CAN'T MOVE.

HOLD HER HEAD. I GOT HER.

IT'S OK.

OH, MY GOD.

WHO IS IT?

OH.

KATHY.

YES, JONI. I'M RIGHT HERE.

MY NOSE TICKLES. IT FEELS LIKE SAND OR SOMETHING.

YOU'LL HAVE TO CHECK HER IN OVER THERE.

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

ONCE I CATCH MY BREATH, I SHOULD BE OK.

THIS...CRAZY NUMBNESS IS BOUND TO WEAR OFF.

DIVING?

IT WAS SUPER DUMB.

THAT'S 70% OF OUR BUSINESS.

DON'T FEEL PRIVILEGED.

OUCH WHEN YOU FEEL SOMETHING.

OK.

UH...

EXCUSE ME, UM...

DO YOU-- MY DAUGHTER IS HERE.

CAN I GO HOME TONIGHT?

JOANIE, I KNOW THIS--

IT'S NOT JOANIE. IT'S JONI.

MY FATHER ASSUMED I'D BE A BOY.

IF THAT CRAB HADN'T BIT ME,

I NEVER WOULD'VE TURNED AROUND,

AND THEN IT WOULD'VE BEEN TOO LATE.

JOHN'S HERE.

DAD, YOU HAVE TO SIGN SOMETHING.

SO THEY CAN OPERATE, JOHN.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S FIND A DOCTOR.

YOUR NUMBNESS IS CAUSED BY A FRACTURE

SOMEWHERE IN THE SPINAL COLUMN.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE...

THERE...

IN SURGERY.

HEY. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

NO JOKES. NOT MY HAIR.

BE STILL.

STOP IT!

LISTEN. MY DAD'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING TERRIBLE!

KEEP HER QUIET.

JONI, PLEASE.

STOP IT!

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

PLEASE. I'M SORRY.

I'M SORRY. YOU'RE JUST SCARING ME.

STOP IT, PLEASE.

BE STILL.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD.

I SHALL NOT WANT.

HOW YOU FEELING?

OH, OK.

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

COUNTRY CLUB POOL.

DICK FILBERT? HOLD ON.

HEY, DICK! YOU GOT A CALL.

DICK FILBERT.

YEAH. HI, JAY.

I KNOW YOU AND JONI

WERE PLANNING SOMETHING LATER.

HEY, JAY. WHAT HAPPENED?

[SIREN]

YOU'RE THE EARECKSONS, RIGHT?

I'M DOCTOR SHERRILL.

THERE'S A FRACTURE IN YOUR DAUGTER'S SPINAL COLUMN.

ACTUALLY, THE CORD IS SEVERED.

IN OTHER WORDS, SHE'S BROKEN HER NECK.

THERE'S NO WAY SHE CAN DIE?

IN FRONT OF US, FOUR CRITICAL DAYS.

FLIP.

STOPS BEDSORES.

TWO HOURS ON HER BACK, TWO ON HER STOMACH.

NO...

[MUMBLING]

MUST BE SOME NIGHTMARE.

IT'S THE RESTRAINTS THAT GET ME.

HEY, SOMEBODY.

I'LL GET IT.

JONI, I'M HERE. WHAT IS IT?

THAT AWFUL GROANING.

SOMEBODY'S RATTLING CHAINS SOMEWHERE.

IT'LL ALL GO AWAY SOON, HONEY.

YOU JUST NEED SOME REST.

WHAT KIND OF A PLACE IS THIS?

JONI!

JONI!

JONI!

I WISH SOMEBODY HERE KNEW SOMETHING.

[DOG WHIMPERS]

HELLO.

[DOG BARKS]

[DOG WHINES]

HOW'S IT GOING WITH HIM?

[TELEPHONE RINGS]

I'LL WORK IT OUT.

INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. PAULINE JENSEN SPEAKING.

OH. YES, DR. THOMSON.

MM-HMM.

[DOG WHINES]

DEMEROL 100 MG.

UH...UH, YES.

I.M.I.Q. THREE TO FOURS HOURS FOR PAIN.

ALL RIGHT, DOCTOR. I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT.

HEY, PAULINE.

I NEED SOME HELP WITH MRS. WALLACE.

HI, GORGEOUS.

PEOPLE DIE HERE, DICKIE.

COME ON.

AH, COME KISS JON.

OH, HE'S WONDERFUL.

OH, HE'S SO SOFT AND FURRY.

EVEN THOUGH HE WET ON ME.

I SUPPOSE YOU'RE USED TO DUMB QUESTIONS.

TRY ME.

OK.

I BROKE MY NECK, SO I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.

WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG?

YOU'VE MADE IT THROUGH FOUR WEEKS.

I'D SAY THE CRISIS WAS OVER.

YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE

AS A DUES-PAYING MEMBER OF THE HUMAN RACE.

I'M GOING TO OPERATE VERY SOON,

FUSE THE BONES IN YOUR NECK BACK TOGETHER.

THEN WE CAN GET RID OF THOSE TONGS.

MOM, DID YOU KNOW?

NO.

HOW DOES A PRIVATE ROOM SOUND?

WITH A WINDOW?

WELL, AT LEAST THERE'S SOME COLOR.

I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER LIKE WHITE AGAIN.

WHERE CAN I PUT TUMBLEWEED?

ON THE CEILING.

TA-DA!

OH, THAT'S DISGUSTING.

WELL, IS IT CLEAN?

MOM, I'M NOT THAT STUPID.

I'LL BE BACK IN A MINUTE.

JOHN, THE DOCTOR PROMISED TO COME RIGHT DOWN

AS SOON AS JONI'S...

IN RECOVERY.

HAS DR. SHERRILL COME OUT OF SURGERY YET?

I REALLY WOULDN'T KNOW, SIR.

DR. SHERRILL!

SHE'S FINE, MR. EARECKSON.

I WAS JUST COMING DOWN. IT WENT VERY WELL.

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, DOCTOR,

WRESTLING WAS MY GAME.

I MADE IT TO THE OLYMPICS IN '32.

THERE'S A SPLIT SECOND IN ANY MATCH

WHEN YOU PRESS YOUR OPPONENT,

YOU GET A HAMMERLOCK OR SOMETHING,

AND YOU PUSH IT.

AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY FEEL HIS STRENGTH BEND TO YOURS.

AND FOR A MOMENT YOU GET SO HIGH YOU'RE DOWNRIGHT INVINCIBLE.

I GUESS YOU'VE HAD THAT IN YOUR GAME, TOO,

WHERE YOUR FINGERS AND YOUR BRAIN

TELL YOU YOU'RE WINNING.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT I NEED TO KNOW, DOCTOR, IS--

HAVE YOU BEEN WINNING SINCE YOU MET US?

LIKE YOU SAID... THAT FUSION BUSINESS WENT OK?

THE DOCTOR SAYS THE OPERATION WENT FINE.

THEY'LL BE BRINGING JONI FROM RECOVERY

IN A FEW MINUTES.

WOULD YOU PEOPLE BE INTERESTED IN REDECORATING

ALL OUR PRIVATE ROOMS?

WE WOULDN'T BE ANY GOOD AT IT.

YEAH, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHO IT'S FOR.

JOHN.

YOUR DAUGHTER'S GOING TO NEED A LOT OF HELP.

THE TOUGHEST PART OF THE BATTLE

IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT.

BUT YOU SAID THE OPERATION WAS SUCCESSFUL.

THE DOC SAYS THAT, UH...

JONI WILL...

ALWAYS BE PARALYZED.

THE FUSION SURGERY DOESN'T CHANGE THAT,

BUT WE ARE CONFIDENT

THAT SHE'LL GET THE USE OF HER HANDS BACK IN TIME.

OH, SHE'S HERE.

FOR SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW

FOR SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW

FOR SHE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW

WHICH NOBODY CAN DENY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

IS IT MY BIRTHDAY?

I'LL GET IT, MOM.

I THINK WE'LL HAVE SUPPER IN THE DINING ROOM.

WE'LL HAVE TO MOVE STUFF AROUND.

THE KITCHEN'S OK.

SET US UP IN THE DINING ROOM.

NO MORE THROW-TOGETHER MEALS.

WHAT SHOULD WE HAVE TONIGHT, BROCCOLI OR SPINACH?

EEW.

[DISH BREAKS]

WE'RE NOT GOING TO HANDLE THIS LIKE...NINCOMPOOPS.

YOU IDIOT!

STUPID JERK!

YOU MUST HAVE HANDS LIKE MEAT HOOKS.

HER NERVES ARE ALL STANDING AT ATTENTION RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE BEGINNING TO HEAL.

IT'S A GOOD SIGN.

SHUT THE DOOR.

PLEASE.

DADDY, I HATE IT

WHEN YOU GET ON THE FLOOR TO SEE ME.

THE FLOOR'S MY SECOND HOME.

HAS BEEN FOR A LONG TIME.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BEEN A CHAMP.

YOU ALWAYS WILL BE.

I GOT YOU A LITTLE PRESENT.

JUST TILL YOU CAN MOVE YOUR HEAD MORE.

I CAN ALMOST SEE THE WHOLE ROOM.

AM I GOING TO BE IN THIS THING A LONG TIME?

DAD...PLEASE BE STRAIGHT WITH ME.

IT'LL REALLY HELP TO KNOW.

JONI, THE DOCTOR SAYS YOUR INJURY

IS MORE OR LESS PERMANENT.

HONEY...

YOUR DANCING DAYS ARE OVER.

DADDY, I'M GOING TO WALK.

I--I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SO WORRIED ABOUT.

[JONI MUMBLING]

HOW CAN ANY OF THIS BE YOUR WILL?

I DID ALL THE THINGS YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO DO

TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

I WAS SORRY FOR MY SINS.

ALL OF THEM. REALLY.

HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN TO ME?

[MUMBLING]

IT'S STUPID TRYING TO TALK TO YOU.

YOU'RE AS...

IMPERSONAL AS THE MACHINES IN THIS PLACE.

WHAT A DUMB THING TO BELIEVE

YOU REALLY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE...

ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO US.

YOU GOT TO HELP ME, DIANA.

YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND.

SURE. NAME IT.

WE'VE BOTH BEEN KIDDING.

SOONER OR LATER IT'LL HAPPEN.

I WANT IT TO BE SOONER.

GIVE ME SOMETHING.

GIVE ME SOME PILLS.

HEY, NOW WHO'S ACTING CRAZY?

I'M ALREADY DYING, AND I'M NEARLY DEAD NOW.

YOU'RE NOT.

IF I COULD MOVE, I'D DO IT MYSELF.

IF YOU LOVE ME,

YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

CUT MY WRISTS. THERE'S NO FEELING.

THERE WILL BE NO PAIN. PLEASE, IT'S A GOOD IDEA.

THERE WON'T BE ANYBODY TO TELL.

JONI, I CAN'T DO THAT. DON'T ASK ME.

THEN I'LL DO IT MYSELF.

STOP IT, JONI. IT'S A SIN.

SIN? WHAT'S SIN GOT TO DO WITH IT?

I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO REMEMBER BUT YESTERDAY.

WE'RE GOING TO TOUGHEN YOU UP

FOR TRANSFER TO REHABILITATION.

TRYING TO DUMP ME, HUH, DOC?

THEY CAN DO A LOT MORE FOR YOU.

MOTOR-DAMAGE CASES ARE THEIR SPECIALTY.

YOU HAVE FEELINGS IN YOUR SHOULDERS, UPPER ARM, AND CHEST.

IT MAY BE POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO TRAIN

OTHER MUSCLES IN YOUR BACK AND SHOULDERS

TO COMPENSATE FOR CERTAIN ARM MUSCLES YOU'VE LOST.

IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT GETTING MY HANDS BACK?

YOUR CHART SAYS YOU SHOULD HAVE

50% USE OF YOUR BICEPS.

THE BICEPS IS ONE OF THE MUSCLES THAT MOVES THE UPPER ARM

THROUGH MOST OF ITS RANGE OF MOTION.

NOW, WE WON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO

UNTIL YOU WORK AT IT.

WHAT A HASSLE.

WHAT TIME IS IT?

7:50. HOW WAS YOUR DAY?

WHAT KIND OF A VISIT IS THAT?

THEY WERE ALL SHORT HOPS TODAY, JON.

I STARTED HITCHING RIGHT AFTER MY 3 O'CLOCK CLASS.

TOOK FIVE RIDES TO GET HERE.

HEY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

JUST CHANGING THE SCENERY A LITTLE.

WHEN THE NIGHT NURSE COMES IN HERE SHE'LL GO CRAZY.

NOW, DO YOU REALLY CARE?

NO.

HAD THIS LOUSY NIGHTMARE THAT STAYED ALL DAY.

I DREAMED YOU LEFT ME FOR GINNY NORTH.

GINNY NORTH?

TELL ME YOU LOVE ME.

DICK, TELL ME YOU'LL NEVER LEAVE ME, NEVER.

I LOVE YOU.

LOVE YOU.

LOVE YOU.

AND I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU. HOW'S THAT?

JUST LIKE A PINBALL MACHINE--

YOU BUMP ME, YOU SCORE.

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D DO THAT.

YOU'RE MOVING YOUR HEAD A LOT MORE. THAT'S GREAT.

THERAPY EVERY DAY-- IT'S HELL.

I CAN ONLY MAKE IT IF YOU'RE WITH ME.

I THINK IF YOU LEAVE ME, I'LL DIE. I KNOW IT.

I JUST KNOW IT.

LISTEN, LADY MACBETH...

IF YOU'LL STOW THAT DARK SOLILOQUY...

I'LL SAY IT AGAIN.

I LOVE YOU, AND I'LL ALWAYS BE HERE.

ALWAYS.

THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT TAKING ME OUT OF HERE.

UH, REHABILITATION HOSPITAL.

OH, WHEN?

WHO KNOWS?

THEY DECIDE EVERYTHING.

THAT MEANS PROGRESS, RIGHT?

OH...

WAIT. PLEASE.

CAREFUL, HONEY. IT'S POLLUTED.

SO MUCH COLOR. MMM.

ALMOST HURTS MY EYES.

PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO SOME LEADERSHIP.

THERE'S NOTHING GOOD ON UNTIL 8:00.

THEY JUST THROW IN ALL THESE RERUNS.

YOU KNOW, I HEARD THERE'S RIOTING IN NEWARK.

AND JOHNSON'S CALLING IN PARATROOPERS.

DO YOU THINK ANYTHING LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN IN BALTIMORE?

ALL I KNOW IS YOU BETTER EAT,

OR THEY'LL PUT YOU BACK ON THAT BOTTLE.

SORRY. WE ALWAYS TALKED A LOT AT DINNER.

HEY, DON'T WORRY.

WE BAT OVER 400 AROUND HERE.

OH.

HEY, THAT'S GREAT.

10 DEGREES IS GOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME.

EARL, COULD YOU LOOK AT MY CAR AFTER WORK TODAY?

THAT CLUTCH AGAIN?

FOREIGN JOBS ARE BUMMERS.

YEAH, BUT IT'S CUTE.

WAIT. DON'T GO ANY HIGHER.

I CAN'T.

FEELS LIKE YOU'RE GONNA BLACK OUT?

SLOW AND EASY. THE BLOOD WILL HEAD FOR YOUR BRAIN AGAIN.

YOU'LL BE SITTING UP BY THANKSGIVING.

I'LL BET YOU 5.

NO BET. NOT WITH THIS ONE.

RAOUL, THIS IS NOT A TURNPIKE.

DOES ANYBODY EVER WALK OUT OF THIS PLACE?

OH, SURE. WE GET RID OF EVERYBODY EVENTUALLY.

THAT'S IT. YOU GOT HIM! NOW, COME ON.

GUARD IT.

GIVE IT TO HIM!

YOU WANT TO TALK?

SURE.

WHERE'S WOODLAWN?

OH, THE SUBURBS, BALTIMORE.

OH. OUT IN ALL THAT EXPENSIVE GREEN, HUH?

YOU MUST HAVE REALLY BEEN

SOME SOCIE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I COUNTED 16 MENTIONS IN YOUR YEARBOOK.

YEAH, I LOOKED THROUGH IT.

WELL, IT WAS FUN.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

OH, WESTERN HIGH.

ALL CEMENT.

THE ONLY GRASS AROUND GOT SMOKED.

TWO YEARS DID ME, AND I QUIT.

HMM.

YOU AND I ARE ROOMIES.

HOW DID YOU GET HERE?

OH.

THEY SAY I'M PACKING A TUMOR ON MY SPINE.

THEY DON'T REALLY KNOW.

IN THIS FREAK FACTORY,

IT PAYS TO HAVE

SOMETHING MYSTERIOUS GOING.

I MEAN...

OH.

WELFARE PICKS UP THE TAB

FOR ALL THIS DELIGHTFUL ATTENTION.

HOW DID IT GO FOR YOU IN P.T.?

OH, I FAINTED...

I THINK.

WELL, YOU'RE LUCKY TO HAVE BARBARA.

AT LEAST THAT GIRL SETS GOALS YOU CAN MAKE.

SHOOT. SHOOT!

PRETEND IT'S DISNEYLAND.

LET'S TRY FOR THE BIG MONEY, JONI.

YOU DID IT, LADY.

THANKS.

I'LL BAKE SOME COOKIES TONIGHT.

WE'LL CELEBRATE.

IT'S SNOWING.

JONI.

GOSH, SUCH BIG FLAKES.

SINCE TUMBLEWEED'S NOT WORKING FOR A WHILE,

WHY DON'T WE BREED HER?

OH, I DON'T KNOW. A BROOD MARE.

I DON'T WANT TO RUIN HER FORM.

ONE FOAL WON'T HURT HER BACK.

I'LL SHARE THE MONEY WITH YOU.

THESE PANTS ARE TOO SHORT. LOOK AT MY SOCKS.

MAYBE YOU'VE STRETCHED.

JAY, WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE, I WANT TO PUT TUMBLEWEED

BACK ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT.

HOW DID YOU GET MOM AND DAD TO STAY OUTSIDE?

THREATS MOSTLY,

AND I TOLD THEM IF THEY CAME INSIDE,

IT WOULD SPOIL THE SURPRISE.

OH!

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

FANTASTIC.

OH, A WHITE CHRISTMAS.

I ORDERED IT.

WE'RE OFF.

NOW, WATCH IT, JAY. WE MIGHT SKID.

NOBODY'S GOT THEIR MIND ON DRIVING

THIS CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS.

THAT'S YOUR MOTHER'S IDEA OF SUBTLETY.

MOM, I CAN'T BREAK. I'M ALREADY BROKEN.

OH, COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

JOYFUL AND TRIUMPHANT

OH, COME YE, OH, COME YE

TO BETHLEHEM

COME AND BEHOLD HIM

BORN THE KING OF ANGELS

OH, COME LET US ADORE HIM

OH, COME LET US ADORE HIM

OH, COME LET US ADORE HIM

CHRIST THE LORD

I WRAPPED THE MOST PRESENTS THIS CHRISTMAS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

THE COUPLE WITH THE MOST POINTS--

THE HASSLE'S LESS HERE.

EVERYBODY'S FIGHTING THE SAME BATTLE.

GIVE OR TAKE A LIMB OR TWO.

I LIKE NOT EXPLAINING

AND RE-EXPLAINING EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME.

YEAH. RELATIVES CAN BE A SHARP PAIN.

THEY TREAT YOU LIKE A DUMMY.

STUPID UNCLE OF MINE ASKED IF I COULD STILL READ.

GOOD QUESTION. WHAT'S THE ANSWER?

I TOLD HIM, "NO.

"SINCE MY LEGS GOT PARALYZED,

MY BRAIN DID, TOO."

HERE THEY COME--

BARBARA WALTERS AND CASSIUS CLAY.

WE'RE DUMPING CHRISTMAS.

WE NEED CLEAN SHEETS.

CAN YOU GUYS PULL RANK AND GET OUR BEDDING CHANGED?

THE IDIOTS SKIPPED US YESTERDAY.

MOST SHIFTS ARE SHORT BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY.

IT STINKS IN HERE!

TIME FOR YOUR WORKOUT.

HEY, EARL, WHAT'S GOING ON?

TOO MUCH SITTING UP.

THE BONES ARE STARTING TO RUB THE SKIN AWAY.

BUT, EARL...

I GOT TO GO.

BUT EARL, CHECK THIS OUT.

IS THIS THE WARD WHERE SOME GUY

STICKS HIS HEAD IN AND SAYS,

"WHO WANTS TO PLAY BASEBALL?"

AND WE SAY, "YOU KNOW WE CAN'T

DO ANYTHING BELOW OUR NECKS,"

AND HE SAYS, "WE JUST WANT TO USE YOU

FOR SECOND BASE."

[HUMMING]

IT'S REALLY NOT NECESSARY FOR US TO ANESTHETIZE YOU...

UNLESS OF COURSE,

YOU'RE FEELING A BIT SQUEAMISH.

THERE'LL BE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CHISELING

ON YOUR HIP BONE.

WE'RE GOING TO SCRAPE THOSE JOINTS SO THEY WON'T GIVE YOU ANY MORE TROUBLE.

CARVE AWAY.

CHISEL.

[HUMMING]

MALLET.

[HUMMING]

CRY, HONEY. LET YOUR FEELINGS OUT.

I CAN'T CRY.

THERE'S NOBODY AROUND TO BLOW MY NOSE AND MOP UP.

I'M HERE.

WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW?

IF I CRY, I MIGHT LIKE IT.

THEN I'D WANT TO DO IT A LOT.

OK, JON.

MAYBE YOU HIT IT.

I DO WANT TO PUSH AWAY...

THE KIND OF REALITY YOU'RE LIVING RIGHT NOW,

THESE LAST FEW MONTHS,

I'VE LOOKED AT JUST ABOUT

EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE.

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE MY OWN FAITH

NEVER REALLY GOT BUMPED BEFORE.

I WAS SORT OF RETARDED

BACK THERE IN JUNIOR HIGH SOMEWHERE.

NOW...

I'M TRYING TO MATCH IT UP TO A REAL WORLD...

AND YOUR PAIN.

GOD, IF I CAN'T DIE...

SHOW ME HOW TO LIVE.

PLEASE...

IF ANYBODY'S LISTENING.

HEY, LADY, YOU WANT ANYTHING?

DIANA!

I GOT LONESOME.

THAT'S SOMEBODY'S UNIFORM, YOU NUT.

IT'S MY LITTLE UNI. YOU LIKE IT?

THEY ARE NOT BIG FOR JOKES AROUND HERE, DI.

IT'S JUST STUPID THAT VISITORS CAN'T COME IN BEFORE 2:00.

THEY SHOULDN'T INTERRUPT YOUR SOAP OPERAS, RIGHT?

SO NOW THAT I'M A STAFF VOLUNTEER,

I CAN BE WITH YOU AT LEAST PART OF EVERY DAY.

WHAT ABOUT SCHOOL?

I TOOK OFF A SEMESTER.

THAT IS ABSOLUTELY MAD.

WHY? I WAS UNDECLARED AT COLLEGE ANYWAY.

THEY KEEP ASKING ALL THOSE POINTED QUESTIONS.

I JUST DON'T KNOW YET WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I'VE EVEN STARTED ASKING GOD IF HE HAS ANYTHING IN MIND.

I MEAN, I'M OPEN.

AND UNTIL I RUN INTO A BETTER OFFER,

YOUR WISH HAS BEEN GRANTED.

YOU HAVE YOUR VERY OWN PERSONAL CANDY SWIPER.

ALL RIGHT.

NOW LET'S SEE-- RATTY HAIR, GRUNGY TEETH,

AND, OOH, DRAGON BREATH.

WHERE'S YOUR TOOTHPASTE?

HOW'S THAT?

OHH.

HI.

HOW'S YOUR NECK?

MM-HMM.

YOU KNOW, THOSE THINGS WILL KILL YOU.

CAN'T WAIT.

MMM.

CHILD, MY HAIR'S GOING TO BE SO TIGHT,

IT'S GOING TO CHOKE MY BRAIN,

BUT I LOVE IT.

HA HA HA!

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING,

LONG A CHAMPION OF NONVIOLENT CAUSES,

WAS SHOT TODAY IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

DR. KING HAD RETURNED TO MEMPHIS

WEDNESDAY MORNING BY PLANE

TO ORGANIZE SUPPORT FOR THE 1,300 SANITATION WORKERS--

IT'S LIKE THE WHOLE WORLD'S FALLING APART.

DR. KING, AS A CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER,

ADVOCATED NONVIOLENCE.

MAYBE WHAT WE GOT IS CATCHING.

[DR. KING] IT'S BEEN A SPIRITUAL DISASTER

DEEPENING THEIR DESPAIR AND HOPELESSNESS.

NOT SO TIGHT.

YOU'LL GET WRITER'S CRAMP IN YOUR JAW.

BACK TO FIRST GRADE.

WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO WRITE WITH MY MOUTH?

IT'S DISGUSTING.

I KNOW I'LL GET MY HANDS BACK ANYWAY.

WHAT IF YOU DON'T?

HE HAS TO DO THAT FOR ME.

IT WENT OFF YESTERDAY.

ANOTHER DRIPPY NIGHT IN THIS SWEATBOX.

WELL, YOU'RE THE LAST ONE TO GRIPE.

AREN'T JUNGLES ALWAYS HOT?

OH, ALL THIS STUFF CLUTTERING UP.

JUST DUST-CATCHERS.

WE ARE NOT PERSONAL MAIDS.

I'LL BET YOU AIN'T NOBODY'S PERSONAL ANYTHING.

YOU GOT TO FLIP B.J.

NOBODY'S BEEN AROUND SINCE SUPPER.

I OUGHT TO LEAVE YOU LIKE THIS

FOR THE MORNING SHIFT.

NOT FLIP YOU AT ALL.

NIGGERS AND HIPPIES, THAT'S ALL WE GOT HERE.

THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE TWO PEOPLE TO FLIP US.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT, HONEY.

YOU'LL NEVER FEEL A THING.

I'M GOING TO REPORT YOU TO THE HEAD NURSE.

BJ'S DOCTOR IS GONNA CAN YOU.

I DOUBT IT.

IF I COULD GET OVER THERE FAST ENOUGH,

I'D BREAK YOUR FACE.

RELAX, PICCANINNY.

HOLD ON, HONEY.

AAH!

WE SAW THAT! SHE'LL SUE.

WE'RE WITNESSES!

GOOD NIGHT, LADIES.

UM, UM, UM.

HI, EARL.

OHH!

THANKS. THAT FEELS GREAT.

YOU KNOW, I DREAM A LOT ABOUT WALKING.

IT HELPS ME TO WORK HARDER DURING THE DAY.

YOU GOING TO THROW THAT AT ME?

I WANT YOU TO DRAW SOMETHING ON IT.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING.

DRAW SOMETHING YOU LIKE.

USE THESE.

IT WON'T WORK.

I USED TO DO A LOT OF SKETCHING IN CHARCOAL.

MY FATHER'S SORT OF AN ARTIST.

BUT THAT WAS WHEN I HAD MY HANDS.

THE SKILL, THE TALENT, COMES FROM UP HERE.

WITH A LITTLE PRACTICE,

YOU CAN DO AS WELL WITH YOUR MOUTH AS YOUR HANDS.

HMM...

OH, MY YOUNG SKIN IS GOING.

I HOPE JAY GETS HERE BEFORE DICK.

I ASKED HER TO BRING SOME FOUNDATION AND BLUSH.

I GUESS FROM NOW ON

IT COMES OUT OF A JAR.

OH,

YOU CAN USE SOME OF MY STUFF, JONI.

IT'LL MAKE YOU LOOK LIKE YOU'VE BEEN CRUISING THE CARIBBEAN.

GREAT.

OK?

ALL RIGHT.

MMM...

OH, THAT FEELS GOOD.

HOW DO I LOOK?

YOU LOOK LIKE ONE

OF THEM HIGH-CHEEKED LADIES IN VOGUE.

AAH!

AAH!

AAH! AAH!

[BELL RINGS]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

[RING]

IT'S BEEN STUCK ON THREE FOR ALMOST 10 MINUTES.

THEY CAN'T EXPECT PEOPLE TO WALK.

DICK, WE'D BETTER GET OUT OF HERE.

IT'S MOVING.

IT'S MOVING.

OH, LET'S GO. QUICK!

WHOO!

YOU'RE GOING TO A PARTY, GAL.

IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY!

WHOO!

TRY THAT BIG PIECE RIGHT THERE.

IT'S NOT EASY.

JONI. JONI.

WE LOVE YOU.

WE LOVE YOU.

DID YOU DO THAT WITH YOUR MOUTH?

DADDY, I'M NOT YOUR LITTLE GIRL ANYMORE.

BUT YOU'RE STILL MY GIRL.

THEY'RE GOING TO RELEASE YOU SOON.

WE HAVE TO MAKE PLANS.

WHO SAID? HOW DO YOU KNOW?

[JOHN EARECKSON] HONEY GIRL , YOU KNOW YOU CAN ALWAYS STAY

IN TOWN WITH MOM AND ME,

BUT JAY'S JUST INSISTING THAT YOU BE OUT

ON THE FARM WITH HER.

YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

WHATEVER WORKS BEST.

HE WANTS IT ALL.

HE'S GOT TO PASS SILVERMAN.

TIED!

OVER HERE.

OK, TAKE OFF THE COVER.

IS THAT ME?

MAYBE YOU CAN USE IT

TO COVER UP A CRACK SOMEWHERE.

YOU AIN'T NEVER SEEN ME LOOKING THAT CLASSY.

THANK YOU.

I WONDER IF I CAN GET WELFARE

TO GET ME ONE OF THESE POWER JOBS.

WITH YOUR DRIVING RECORD?

YOU KNOW,

YOU KNOW, I HEAR ONE OUT OF SEVEN DON'T MAKE IT

WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE.

THEY LET THEM COME BACK?

NO, THEY FIND OUT A WAY TO DROP OUT PERMANENTLY.

HEY, LOOK WHAT'S UP AHEAD.

MMM, MMM, MMM.

HOW DID THAT DAME MAKE DAYS?

I THOUGHT SHE ONLY CAME OUT AT NIGHT.

HOLD ON TO MY PICTURE.

I'M GOING TO GET ME A VAMPIRE ALL IN WHITE.

WAIT A MINUTE.

I AM SO SORRY.

OH...

OH, I JUST BET YOU'RE SORRY.

YOU'VE BEEN PLOTTING THIS FOR MONTHS.

I HIT OVERDRIVE WHEN I SHOULD HAVE BRAKED.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BE DOING, LITTLE BLACK GIRL,

IS SWINGING THROUGH THE TREES,

NOT DRIVING ONE OF THOSE THINGS.

WELL, IF IT HAD TO HAPPEN

I'M GLAD IT HAPPENED IN A HOSPITAL.

HI, BARB.

I FELT MY HAND TINGLING AGAIN LAST NIGHT.

I KEPT WAKING UP.

I NEVER LIKE GOODBYES,

SO ONE OF THESE MORNINGS I'LL JUST BE GONE.

HAVE YOU GOT A LITTLE TIME, JONI?

WE CAN TALK.

INCREDIBLE. NOBODY'S ASKED ME

IF I HAD THE TIME FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS.

I REALLY THANK YOU FOR THAT, BARB,

AND FOR A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, TOO.

I COULDN'T HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT YOU.

I'M A PHYSICAL THERAPIST, JONI.

MY SPECIALTY IS QUADS,

THAT'S WHY YOU AND I MET.

GOD OR BLIND FATE DIDN'T PUT YOU INTO THAT CHAIR,

YOU DID IT YOURSELF.

IN SCHOOL THEY CALLED IT

THE GUNSHOT, DIVING, MOTORCYCLE SYNDROME.

AM I SUPPOSED TO ASK WHAT THAT MEANS?

WELL, I GUESS I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ANYWAY.

VERY PHYSICAL KINDS OF PEOPLE,

BEFORE THEIR ACCIDENTS, UH...

ATHLETIC, COURTING DANGER, CHANCY KINDS OF THINGS.

I HAVE THREE PATIENTS RIGHT NOW

WHO WERE CRIPPLED ON MOTORCYCLES.

AND THEY SPEND EVERY WAKING MINUTE DREAMING

OF HOW THEY'RE GOING TO RIDE AGAIN.

WHY DO I HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS?

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK YOU'VE LISTENED UP UNTIL NOW.

I HAVE A RIGHT TO PRIVACY,

EVEN IN THIS ZOO.

WOULD YOU GET THIS?

JONI...

I KNOW YOU'RE NOT PARANOID,

AND YOU DON'T SEE LIFE IN A DISTORTED WAY,

BUT...

IF YOU LEAVE HERE CONSCIOUSLY SAYING

"I KNOW,"

AND IT'S ONLY LIP SERVICE...

THEN...

I WILL HAVE FAILED YOU IN THE WORST POSSIBLE WAY.

YOU WILL NEVER USE THESE FINGERS...

TO COMB YOUR HAIR...

OR TO PUT ON YOUR OWN LIPSTICK...

OR TO DRIVE A CAR.

NEVER.

THEN I DON'T WANT TO GO HOME.

NOT WITHOUT MY HANDS.

I'VE ALREADY CONCEDED THE FACT

THAT I'M GOING TO SIT DOWN

FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

BUT WITHOUT MY HANDS I'M A HELPLESS FREAK.

YOU WERE THE ONE WHO SAID WORK HARD

SO I COULD BE REHABILITATED.

YOU JUST WANTED ME OUT OF HERE

SO SOMEBODY ELSE COULD HAVE MY BED.

NOT TRUE.

NO MIRACLES, HUH?

NOPE.

WE CAN STILL CALL IT OFF, HONEY.

JUST SAY THE WORD.

NO GHOSTS, DAD. OK?

SURE.

[HORSE NEIGHS]

TUMBLEWEED'S TOO GOOD

TO BE PUT OUT TO PASTURE.

IT'S THE GHOSTS THAT GET TO YOU.

RIGHT.

[CHOPPING NOISES]

HEY, JAY?

YEAH?

WHO'S THAT KID OUT THERE?

DIANA SENT HIM OVER.

HE NEEDED A SUMMER JOB.

STEVE SOMETHING.

I THOUGHT HE COULD HELP TAKE SOME

OF THE CHORES OFF DAD.

HE'S GOING TO KILL HIMSELF WITH THAT AX.

HEY! DI, WHAT'S THE IDEA?

YOU'VE GRADUATED, OK?

YOU CAN'T LIVE INSIDE A STUPID YEARBOOK.

AND WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR ME?

WELL, UNFORTUNATELY, I CARE A LOT.

BEST FRIENDS GET STUCK WITH THAT EMOTIONAL GARBAGE.

I DIDN'T ASK YOU TO CARE.

DON'T YOU TAKE MY BOOK.

DON'T YOU DARE!

I'LL KEEP IT FOR YOU.

DI, PLEASE DON'T. COME BACK.

I'M SORRY.

DI! AAH!

OK.

NOW'S A GREAT TIME.

THERE'S NOBODY AROUND BUT YOU AND ME.

[GLASS BREAKING]

MORNING, MISS EARECKSON.

GOOD MORNING.

I'M JUST WAITING FOR YOUR DAD.

WE'RE GOING TO WORK ON THE ROOF TODAY.

IT'S JONI, OK?

I MAY LOOK IT,

BUT I DON'T FEEL THAT OLD.

SURE,

JONI.

WHAT'S SO GOOD THAT YOU HAVE

TO READ IT ON THE ROOF?

I LIKE ISAIAH.

"THEY THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD

"SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH.

"THEY SHALL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES.

"THEY SHALL RUN AND NOT BE WEARY,

THEY SHALL WALK AND NOT FAINT."

WELL, THAT'S VERY POETIC.

HEY, HE'S TALKING ABOUT

SPIRITUAL RUNNING AND WALKING,

NOT JUST FEET.

OBVIOUSLY.

YOU DO A GOOD JOB, SON.

YOU'RE CAREFUL, AND YOU GET THINGS DONE RIGHT.

WHERE DID DIANA FIND HIM ANYWAY?

I THINK HE SPOKE AT THEIR CHURCH A COUPLE OF TIMES.

HE'S A BIBLE-THUMPER.

YEAH. WELL, HIS DAD'S A PREACHER.

YOU'RE KIDDING. WHAT CHURCH?

I DON'T KNOW.

A STREET PREACHER, MAYBE.

DIANA SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A VAN.

A VAN? TERRIFIC.

I CAN SEE THE TWO OF THEM ON SOME CORNER

WITH A TAMBOURINE--

PASSING OUT LITTLE LEAFLETS

WITH PICTURES OF THE DEVIL

AND SCOTCH BOTTLES.

"WHERE WILL YOU SPEND ETERNITY?"

WE'RE BEING SNOBS.

IF I WERE BACK IN SCHOOL, HE WOULDN'T EXIST.

DIANA SAYS THAT YOU WERE

A CHAMPION WRESTLER, MR. EARECKSON.

WELL, I'M ALL TWISTED NOW BUT

THERE WAS A TIME, I COULD BEAT A MAN

TWICE MY WEIGHT.

I TRIED OUT FOR THE JUNIOR TEAM LAST YEAR.

BUT I BOMBED OUT.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT?

I'M A GOOD LISTENER.

I JUST WISH I...

I LOOKED MORE ON THE OUTSIDE

LIKE I FEEL ON THE INSIDE.

MAYBE I COULD SHOW YOU A THING OR TW.

HEY!

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

I'M STUCK.

HOW DID YOU DO THAT?

YOU LOOK GOOD.

HI.

HI IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO?

WHAT'S WRONG WITH HI?

A NICKEL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.

A NICKEL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS.

OLD TIMES ARE REALLY OLD.

YOU CAN GROW UP TOGETHER

AND STILL GROW APART.

JON...

I REALLY BELIEVE GOD GIVES ONLY GOOD GIFTS.

IF HE WANTS US TO MARRY,

THEN WE CAN HANDLE WHATEVER'S UP AHEAD.

MAYBE I'D FEEL THIS WAY

EVEN IF I WASN'T IN A WHEELCHAIR.

LIFE CHANGES PEOPLE.

YOU SEE IT IN THE MOVIES,

OLD LOVERS, FOREVER FRIENDS.

I'LL NEVER CHANGE THE WAY I FEEL.

[HORN HONKS]

WHO'S THAT?

IT'S DI.

YELL THAT WE'RE DOWN HERE.

I'M NOT THAT CRAZY TO SEE HER.

HEY, DI!

HI, JAY.

WHAT HAPPENED WITH YOU GUYS?

HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

HEY, YOU GUYS.

I THINK I MET A MAN IN MY LIFE THIS MORNING.

WHO?

FRANK MOOD. THERE'S ONLY ONE PROBLEM.

HE WAS RIDING A HORSE.

THE LEAGUE OF MARYLAND HORSEMEN

IS HAVING A TRAIL RIDE THIS WEEKEND

AND HE ASKED ME TO GO WITH HIM.

THE THING IS, I'VE NEVER BEEN ON ANYTHING

HIGHER THAN A PONY AT THE THIRD GRADE PICNIC,

AND IT WAS NEARLY DEAD.

I HAVE TO BE REALLY HORSEY BY THIS WEEKEND.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

1, 2, 3.

THERE WE GO.

DON'T THEY COME IN A SMALLER SIZE?

YOU'RE GONNA DO ALL RIGHT.

HYAH!

AAH!

IT'S REVENGE!

LET HER WALK HIM FIRST.

WAIT!

HORSE!

AAH!

WHAT DO I DO?

SIT UP STRAIGHT.

PULL BACK ON HIS REINS.

THOSE TRAIL RIDES,

THEY LAST THREE TO FOUR HOURS.

OHH.

THEY'VE GOT SOME GREAT SWEATERS

ON SALE AT THE MALL.

WE'LL GO THERE FIRST

AND THEN GET SOMETHING TO EAT.

THERE'S DAD'S NEW PROJECT.

IN MOTION.

DID YOU MEET A GIRL OR SOMETHING?

HUH?

YOU ARE GOING FOR INSTANT STEVE McQUEEN.

SENIOR YEAR.

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY.

I HAD A GOOD TIME IN HIGH SCHOOL.

DID YOU REALLY HAVE A STREET MEETING OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL

WITH ALL THE KIDS WATCHING?

YEAH.

THEY THREW PENNIES.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK!

WOO!

WOO-HOO!

WELL...

OH, GREAT!

HEY, LEAD IT INTO THE WIND.

MY LIFE IS LIKE THAT.

FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS.

WHAT--WHAT WAS GOD SUPPOSED TO DO,

SUSPEND THE LAW OF GRAVITY JUST FOR YOU?

WELL, HE'S SUPPOSED TO HAVE A LOT OF ANGELS

HANGING AROUND.

COULDN'T HE HAVE SPARED JUST ONE

TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT?

IF YOU COULD JUST PEEL THIS BACK,

ALMOST EVERYBODY'S LOOKING FOR HIM...

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

IT'S JUST THAT WE WANT HIM ON OUR TERMS.

THE GREAT VENDING MACHINE IN THE SKY.

WELL, HOW'S HE WITH QUESTIONS?

YOU GOT TO GO THE DISTANCE YOURSELF, JON.

THIS IS YOUR BIBLE.

AREN'T YOU GOING TO BE LOST WITHOUT IT?

HEY, IT'S ALL IN THERE, JON.

JUST BE OPEN.

DID YOU COME HERE THIS SUMMER

FOR A CRACK AT ME?

HA HA HA.

I DON'T NEED THE AGGRAVATION.

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT HERE?

OH. IT'S STEVE'S.

HE LEFT IT.

YOU'VE ALREADY GOT THREE.

WELL, THIS ONE'S ALL MARKED UP.

THE IMPORTANT PARTS.

"WE CAN SEE AND UNDERSTAND

"ONLY A LITTLE ABOUT GOD NOW,

"AS IF WE WERE PEERING AT HIS REFLECTION

"IN A POOL OR MIRROR.

"BUT SOMEDAY, WE'RE GOING TO SEE HIM

"IN HIS COMPLETENESS, FACE TO FACE.

"I KNOW HOW FOOLISH IT SOUNDS

"TO THOSE WHO ARE LOST,

"WHEN THEY HEAR THAT JESUS DIED TO SAVE THEM,

"FOR GOD IN HIS WISDOM

"SAW TO IT THAT THE WORLD WOULD NEVER FIND HIM

"THROUGH HUMAN BRILLIANCE.

"AND GOD IN HIS WEAKNESS,

"CHRIST DYING ON THE CROSS,

"IS FAR STRONGER THAN ANY MAN.

"BUT SOMEONE MAY ASK, HOW WILL THE DEAD

BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE AGAIN?

"WHAT KIND OF BODIES WILL THEY HAVE?

"WHEN YOU PUT A SEED INTO THE GROUND,

"IT DOESN'T GROW INTO A PLANT

"UNTIL IT DIES FIRST.

"AND WHEN A GREEN SHOOT

"COMES UP OUT OF THE SEED,

"IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE SEED YOU'VE PLANTED.

"AND JUST AS THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS

"OF SEEDS AND PLANTS,

"SO THERE ARE ALSO

"DIFFERENT KINDS OF FLESH.

"THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN

"HAVE BODIES FAR DIFFERENT FROM OURS.

"AND THE BEAUTY AND GLORY OF THEIR BODIES

"IS DIFFERENT

"FROM THE BEAUTY AND GLORY OF OURS.

"BUT ALL WHO BECOME CHRIST'S

"WILL HAVE THE SAME KIND OF BODY AS HIS.

"I TELL YOU THIS, MY BROTHERS.

AN--"

"AN EARTHLY BODY MADE OF FLESH AND BLOOD

"CANNOT GET INTO GOD'S KINGDOM.

"THESE PERISHABLE BODIES OF OURS

ARE NOT THE RIGHT KIND TO LIVE FOREVER."

OK, LORD.

I'LL STOP TRYING TO WORK IT OUT

TO MAKE SENSE JUST FOR ME.

WHATEVER SURPRISES YOU HAVE IN STORE...

OR NO SURPRISES AT ALL.

I GUESS IT'S UP TO YOU.

AND HELP ME NOT TO GET IN THE WAY TOO MUCH.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

JUST TALKING.

SHUT UP AND GO TO SLEEP.

[JONI] THANK YOU, FATHER,

THAT YOU LET STEVE TOUCH MY LIFE.

TO LEAD ME INTO YOUR WORD.

THERE'S PURPOSE IN THAT.

[WEDDING MARCH PLAYS]

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION AT THE END THERE?

LOOK OVER HERE, PLEASE.

READY?

SAY CHEESE.

HERE WE GO. READY?

THERE WE GO.

CAN WE GO OVER THERE?

SURE.

WAKE UP. YOU'VE GOT A VISITOR.

A WHAT?

A WHO.

CLAIMS IT'S BY INVITATION.

THIS IS CRAZY.

GOOD MORNING.

HE'S IN THE LIVING ROOM.

YOU!

I HOPE I'M NOT TOO EARLY.

UH...FOR WHAT?

WELL, YOU SAID COME BY ANYTIME.

YOUR EXACT WORDS. I WROTE THEM DOWN.

MMM.

HELP.

UM...

I REMEMBER I MET YOU AT THE WEDDING,

AND YOU MADE ME LAUGH,

BUT I'VE FORGOTTEN YOUR NAME.

DON.

BERTOLLI.

WITH, UH, TWO Ls.

TWO Ls.

BY THE WAY, YOU LOOK RADIANT.

COFFEE?

GREAT. YES. PLEASE.

HEY, GREAT MORNING FOR A RIDE.

WHERE?

AROUND.

JUST A RIDE.

ANYWHERE.

HOW ABOUT FLORIDA?

THERE'S QUITE A ROUTINE

GETTING ME IN AND OUT OF THE CAR.

YOU CAN TEACH ME.

JON?

YOU'RE GONNA FIND OUT HOW MUCH I WEIGH.

YOU'RE LIGHT AS A FEATHER.

JONI?

YOU EVER BEEN TO PIMLICO?

UH, SURE. THE PREAKNESS.

I'M INTO A DIFFERENT KIND OF RACE.

CAN'T YOU FEEL ANYTHING?

WELL, NOT IN MY LEGS OR IN MY HANDS,

BUT IN MY ARMS,

IT SORT OF FEELS LIKE...

YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR FOOT'S ASLEEP?

WHY CAN'T YOU BE FIXED?

UH...

I CAN'T.

HI.

HI.

MY GUYS.

MMM.

HI, JAY.

HOW WAS IT?

OH...TERRIFIC.

GREAT.

CAN I DO IT?

OHH! YOU'RE HEAVIER COMING BACK.

MUST BE ALL THAT PIZZA LAYING THERE.

YOU ALL RIGHT?

JUST FIX MY FEET.

OK.

THANKS. I HAD A REALLY GREAT TIME.

ME, TOO.

HEY! WAIT UP A MINUTE!

YOU DON'T HAVE A LICENSE FOR THIS ROAD.

COME ON! GO, GO, GO!

NO ROADBLOCKS.

HEY, COME HERE.

NEXT TIME YOU NEED BREAD,

COME TO ME FIRST.

OK.

JONI, THIS IS BERNIE.

HI, JONI.

I GUESS IT WAS PRETTY BAD IN THERE.

IT WAS MURDER.

LET'S GO, THEN.

"WE WHO BELIEVE

"ARE CAREFULLY JOINED TOGETHER WITH CHRIST

"AS PARTS OF A BEAUTIFUL,

CONSTANTLY GROWING TEMPLE FOR GOD."

[HONKS HORN]

[HONK HONK]

[HONK]

I'VE BEEN WAITING HERE ALL AFTERNOON.

YOU SAID 2:00.

NOW, UH...

HOLD ON A MINUTE THERE.

NOBODY'S SIGNED ANYTHING YET.

RIGHT.

MY DAYS ARE AWFUL FULL, JON.

THAT'S HOW IT IS.

YOU ACT LIKE YOU'RE ALLERGIC OR SOMETHING.

HE'S PUSHY.

HE'S PUSHING YOU,

AND I CAN'T FIGURE WHY.

THAT'S THE WORLD HE COMES FROM.

WHEN HE WANTS SOMETHING,

HE JUST GOES FOR IT.

CAN I HAVE SOME COFFEE?

I THOUGHT YOU SETTLED ALL THAT WITH DICK.

SETTLED?

YOU MEAN, LIKE A NUN?

COME ON, JON!

YOU KNOW, THERE'S MORE TO ROMANCE...

THAN WHAT HAPPENS BELOW THE NECK.

ALL I'M TRYING TO SAY

IS HOW OFTEN ARE YOU WILLING TO GET HURT?

THIS PAPER'S BEEN SOAKING ALL NIGHT.

CAN YOU SET IT UP?

HE'S STRONG.

AND IF IT CAN HAPPEN...

DON COULD HANDLE IT.

JONI...

THE FEELINGS

AND THE RUSH

AND THE WORDS ARE EASY.

DICK HAD ALL THE WORDS.

WELL, I GOT TO FREE YOU UP SOMETIME.

[HORN HONKS]

[HONK HONK HONK]

IT'S DI.

I BET SHE'S PREGNANT.

HEY.

LOOK WHAT CAME SPECIAL DELIVERY.

I FEEL LIKE TINKER BELL

JUST BEFORE HER WAND LIGHTS UP.

FIRST PRIZE.

I ENTERED IT LAST MONTH.

DID YOU TELL THEM I DID IT WITH MY MOUTH?

HEY, THEY DON'T KNOW YOU

FROM NORMAN ROCKWELL.

BUT YOU WON.

IN THERE. NOW THIS NOTE HERE,

AND--OH!

MAGIC FINGERS, IF YOU COULD DO YOUR STUFF.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AN AUGMENTED CHORD.

JON, WHY DON'T WE FORGET

ALL THE PAT ANSWERS AND ARGUMENTS

AND JUST ASK HIM?

FOR WHAT?

WELL, JESUS SAID,

"ASK WHATEVER YOU WILL IN MY NAME,

AND I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU."

BUT...

HEY.

I'VE GOT ENOUGH FAITH FOR THE BOTH OF US.

DON,

YOU GOT A MINUTE?

SURE.

WHAT'S UP, MAN?

YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SOME BIG BAD WOLF.

I'M NOT GOING TO HURT HER.

YOU WON'T MEAN TO.

I KNOW THE LORD PUT JONI AND ME TOGETHER

FOR SOME GOOD REASON.

FOR MARRIAGE?

I WISH THE LORD WOULD LET ME IN ON IT.

YOU CAN'T PROTECT HER FOREVER, JAY.

DO YOU EVER DREAM?

WHEN I SLEEP SOMETIMES.

I MEAN WHEN YOU'RE AWAKE.

DO YOU EVER DREAM ABOUT ME?

YOU ARE A VERY EGOTISTICAL PERSON.

YOU EVER DREAM ABOUT US?

US REALLY TOGETHER?

ALL THE TIME.

SOME KINDS OF DREAMING I GAVE UP...

FOR MY HEALTH.

IT COULD WORK.

SOMEPLACE SMALL.

EVERYTHING COMPACT,

EASY TO HANDLE.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO LAY TOO MUCH STRESS

ON DOING DISHES AND STUFF.

AND WHAT DO WE DO

ONCE WE HAVE THAT PLACE ALL SPICK-AND-SPAN?

WE'D HAVE TO GO TO BED.

SOMETIME.

AND...

WELL...

WHAT ABOUT KIDS?

WHAT ABOUT THEM?

I'D LIKE TO SPEND A LIFETIME

LEARNING TO LOVE YOU.

I'VE ALREADY STARTED.

DON'T SAY THAT UNLESS YOU'RE VERY SURE

THAT YOU MEAN IT.

OH, AND PLEASE MEAN IT.

I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

HOW ABOUT CARAMEL APPLES?

YEAH. THAT'S-- THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

WE COULD HAVE CARAMEL APPLES AND FUDGE.

[JONI] I KNOW THAT MIRACLES CAN HAPPEN

WHEN WE BELONG TO YOU.

LET THIS BE MY TIME.

WHEN I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL,

THIS GUY STORMED INTO MY ROOM AND GRABBED MY ARM.

AND HE PRAYED OVER ME LOUD AND LONG.

I'LL NEVER FORGET HIS FACE.

"GOD HEAL THIS WOMAN."

OH, I GOT A SPASM AND STARTED SHAKING.

I THOUGHT THEN I WAS HEALED.

THAT WAS WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG.

YOU SAY HOW GOD SENT STEVE TO HELP YOU GROW.

THIS COULD BE YOUR NEXT STEP OF FAITH.

WHAT ABOUT THE VERSE

SAYING IT'S GOD'S WILL FOR YOU TO BE WHOLE.

WELL, PHYSICALLY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE.

MY SPINAL CORD IS SEVERED.

HE WOULD HAVE TO DO IT.

"IS ANYONE AMONG YOU SUFFERING...

"AND IS ANYONE SICK...

"THEY SHALL PRAY...

"CALLING UPON THE LORD TO HEAL HIM.

"AND HIS PRAYER, IF OFFERED IN FAITH...

WILL HEAL HIM."

JON, I BELIEVE IT'S GOD'S WILL

THAT YOU'LL BE HEALED.

DEAR LORD...

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOURS IS THE POWER TO DO ALL THINGS.

AND JONI AND I HAVE FAITH, FATHER.

FAITH IN YOUR WORD

WHEN IT SAYS THAT ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

FOR THEM THAT BELIEVE.

FATHER...

IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST

I ASK YOU TO HEAL JONI

SO THAT WE MAY SERVE YOU TOGETHER IN YOUR KINGDOM. AMEN.

MAYBE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY.

I'LL CALL YOU.

SURE.

HE HASN'T CALLED.

HMM.

HE HASN'T COME BY IN A WEEK.

YOU DON'T EVER WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, RIGHT?

MAYBE IN 20 YEARS.

[JONI] I KEEP TELLING MY HANDS AND FINGERS TO MOVE.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE MESSAGE.

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD GLORIFY YOURSELF, LORD,

BY PUTTING ME ON MY FEET.

I KNOW I BELIEVED ENOUGH.

I REALLY DID.

YOU MUST HAVE SOMETHING ELSE IN MIND.

AND I WILL TRUST YOU...

FOR WHATEVER'S AROUND THE CORNER.

I AM IN TOO FAR TO BACK OUT NOW.

JAY?

OH, JAY.

WHAT?

COME HERE.

OH, COME HERE QUICK.

WHAT'S UP?

ALL MY STUFF IS GONE.

DAD'S GOT IT IN HIS HEAD

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AN EXHIBIT.

AN EXHIBIT?

HAS EVERYBODY GONE NUTS IN THIS FAMILY?

WHAT IDIOT'S GOING TO GIVE ME AN EXHIBIT?

DAD'S FOUND ONE SOMEWHERE.

IN THE WINTERTIME

FOR UNDERWEAR

FOR UNDERWEAR...

OH, I HOPE NOBODY COMES.

THE IDEA OF A LOT OF STRANGERS POKING AND STARING.

IT'S ONLY LUNCH.

HEY, LISTEN.

SO YOU DON'T START SCREAMING WHEN WE GET INSIDE,

I PRICED EVERYTHING.

YOU WHAT?

YOU MEAN THEY'RE NOT JUST LOOKING?

THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BUY?

PUSH ME IN FRONT OF A TRUCK. PLEASE.

[PIANO PLAYS]

THIS IS ADAM WERTZ, EYEWITNESS NEWS.

WE'RE HERE WITH THE FATHER OF JONI EARECKSON,

A LOCAL ARTIST WHO ALSO HAPPENS TO BE A QUADRAPELIGIC.

MR. EARECKSON, WHEN DID JONI

FIRST BEGIN TO PAINT?

MY DAUGHTER'S ACCIDENT

HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS 17,

AND AFTERWARDS, AS PART OF THERAPY,

SHE GOT INTO THE ARTWORK.

WHAT BEAUTIFUL ROSES!

AREN'T THEY?

THEY'RE FROM THE MAYOR!

CAN YOU IMAGINE?

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS.

JONI, LOOK. THERE'S YOUR DAD.

OH, NO! I CAN'T GO IN THERE.

WELL, WE'LL GO IN HERE.

WHEN I GET BACK MY HANDS

I'M GOING TO STRANGLE YOU TWO.

JONI, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY

TO ALL THE FOLKS WATCHING WJZ EYEWITNESS NEWS?

UM...

NOT MUCH.

ARE THESE ROSES A GIFT FROM YOUR FATHER?

YES-- I MEAN NO!

THEY'RE FROM THE MAYOR?

FROM THE MAYOR. SORRY.

WE'RE ENJOYING THIS WHOLE THING.

YEAH, SO AM I.

THIS IS ADAM WERTZ, WJZ EYEWITNESS NEWS.

OH.

WHAT IS IT, HON?

I THOUGHT DON WOULD BE HERE.

I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM.

DADDY, THIS IS GREAT.

WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU.

WHAT'S THE TAB SO FAR?

ALMOST $1,000.

IF THE EXHIBIT STAYS A WEEK, THEY'LL ALL GO.

IT'S YOUR PARTY, HON.

BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

WHY DO THEY DO IT?

DON'T BE SO SLOW. YOU'RE GOOD.

A COUPLE THAT HAD GOTTEN BACK FROM EUROPE

WERE ARGUING OVER WHAT ROOM THEY'D HANG YOU IN.

THE BATHROOM.

I LIKE THIS BEST.

IS THAT YOU?

IT WAS.

WOULD YOU PLEASE PULL OFF THAT PRICE TAG?

IT'S NOT FOR SALE.

125 BUCKS?

WELL, MY FRIENDS TRY A LITTLE HARD SOMETIMES.

I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU MANAGED.

UH, WHAT?

UM...

I COULD GIVE YOU

THE READER'S DIGEST VERSION RIGHT HERE, LIEUTENANT,

OR WE COULD FIND A TABLE

IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN.

YOU'LL HAVE TO PUSH.

EXCUSE ME.

WHEN DID YOU GET OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL?

UH...'67.

YEAH?

ME, TOO.

THEY NEVER TOLD US ABOUT THIS IN SENIOR PROBLEMS.

NO, THEY SURE DIDN'T.

AT OUR SCHOOL THEY CALLED IT

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES.

EXACTLY.

THERE ARE A MILLION QUESTIONS

AND ONLY A COUPLE OF DECENT ANSWERS IN LIFE.

HALF THE GUYS IN MY CLASS WENT TO COLLEGE.

THE OTHER HALF WENT TO NAM.

SOME LIVED,

SOME DIED...

SOME OF US...

GOT CAUGHT IN THE CRACKS.

NO ONE EVER TOLD US

THE WORLD IS AN OUTHOUSE,

DID THEY?

I AM SURE OF ONLY ONE THING--

I KNOW WHO PUT ME BACK TOGETHER.

HOW CAN YOU KNOW?

I SLEEP NIGHTS,

AND I LAUGH A LOT.

LOOK...

IF THERE REALLY IS SUCH A PLACE AS HEAVEN

AND IF JESUS REALLY DIED ON THAT CROSS

BECAUSE HE WANTED TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN GOD AND US...

THEN GETTING TO KNOW HIM AND ALL THAT THAT MEANS,

WELL, IT SHOULD BE WORTH LOOKING INTO,

EVEN FOR YOU.

YOU SEE, I'D RATHER BE IN THIS CHAIR...

KNOWING HIM...

THAN ON MY FEET WITHOUT HIM.

AND I NEVER REALLY KNEW THAT FOR SURE

UNTIL THIS MOMENT.

SELF-DELUSION OR...

WHATEVER...

YOU'D WIN MY VOTE.

WOULD YOU TAKE ME BACK, PLEASE?

OH, NO!

IT'S OK.

JONI...

PLEASE, JAY.

HI.

HI.

HI, JAY.

I SAW YOU ON THE 6:00 NEWS.

I WAS REALLY PROUD OF YOU.

YEAH, WELL, IT WAS OK,

BUT I'D NEVER WANT TO DO IT AGAIN.

I NEED YOU TO KNOW HOW IT IS WITH ME.

I'M PRETTY SURE I KNOW.

PLEASE DON'T PUT WORDS AROUND IT.

JONI...

JONI, I HEARD ABOUT THIS JOB UP NORTH.

THEY NEEDED A YOUTH DIRECTOR.

IT'S A BIG CAMP, AND I WENT FOR IT.

TERRIFIC.

WHEN DO YOU GO?

TONIGHT.

THEY WANTED ME RIGHT AWAY.

I DO BETTER WITH KIDS.

CAN I ASK YOU SOMETHING CRAZY

BEFORE YOU GO OFF TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS?

SURE.

WHEN YOU TOUCHED ME,

WHAT WAS GOING ON?

SOME SORT OF CHARACTER TEST OR EXPERIMENT?

NO.

JONI, KISSING YOU AND TOUCHING YOU

AND SHARING YOUR LIFE WAS EVERYTHING IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

YOU'RE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WOMAN I KNOW.

IT JUST WASN'T ENOUGH

WHEN THE HARD STUFF STARTED?

JON...

I THOUGHT I HAD GOD ALL FIGURED OUT.

YOU KNOW, IN A NICE, NEAT LITTLE PACKAGE.

BOY, FOR A GUY LOADED WITH ANSWERS,

I'M JUST FULL UP TO HERE WITH QUESTIONS.

HE DIDN'T DO IT OUR WAY.

I'M OFF BALANCE RIGHT NOW.

I'M REALLY OFF BALANCE.

JON, I WANT TO LEAVE AS YOUR FRIEND.

LOTS OF PINS KNOCKED OUT,

BUT AS YOUR FRIEND.

THE KIDS AT THAT YOUTH CAMP

ARE REALLY LUCKY TO GET YOU.

I'M OK.

I CAN STILL FEEL.

AND I GUESS I'M ALIVE.

I JUST WANT TO BE ALONE FOR A WHILE.

YOU KNOW, SOMEONE ONCE ASKED ME

HOW I MANAGED IT--

GETTING MY LIFE TOGETHER.

AT THE TIME, I COULDN'T SAY MUCH MORE THAN...

"JESUS HAD DONE IT."

I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE BIBLE THEN, BUT...

I DID FEEL

THAT GOD HAD TAKEN ALL THE...

THE BROKEN PIECES OF MY LIFE...

AND HE MADE SOMETHING...

BEAUTIFUL.

AND TODAY,

I KNOW...

THAT THE LORD IS...

CREATING SOMETHING IN ME

THAT I COULD NEVER

CREATE FOR MYSELF.

OH, BUT THAT IS NOT TO SAY

THAT I UNDERSTAND ALL THE WHYS.

BUT, UM...

I KNOW WHO

HOLDS THE ANSWERS,

AND...I CAN WAIT.

I HAD TO GET PAST MYSELF

BEFORE I COULD SEE

THAT HANDICAPS COME AT US

IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.

BROKEN HOMES...

BROKEN HEARTS...

ANXIETY FEELINGS

THAT THREATEN TO TAKE OVER,

BURDENS OF DOUBT, A...

A DEEP ALONENESS...

AND THE CONFINES OF YOUR SOUL

MAY SEEM AS LIMITING AS...

WELL...A WHEELCHAIR.

I KNOW THAT FEELING.

BUT...

I ALSO KNOW

THAT JESUS STAYED ON THE CROSS

TO HEAL US.

AND WHEN I THINK OF JESUS

PARALYZED ON THAT CROSS

SIMPLY BECAUSE HE LOVED ME,

EVEN WHEN I COULDN'T HAVE CARED LESS ABOUT HIM,

I KNOW

THAT I HAVE DISCOVERED SOMETHING...

PRICELESS.

HEAVEN WILL BE...

HEAVENLY

BECAUSE GOD WILL GIVE US NEW MINDS AND...

AND NEW BODIES.

AND THE BIBLE PROMISES US

THAT WE WILL ENJOY HIM FOREVER.

AND I CAN'T WAIT.

I INTEND TO STAND

BEFORE THE LORD

WITH LEGS THAT WALK

AND ARMS AND HANDS THAT WORK

AND LIFT THEM HIGH

AND SHOUT OUT BEFORE THE WHOLE UNIVERSE

THAT JESUS CHRIST IS WHO HE CLAIMS TO BE,

AND THAT HE IS THE VERY SON OF GOD.

AND THAT IS ONLY THE BEGINNING.

IF I...

HADN'T DECIDED TO GO SWIMMING

IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

ON THAT HOT JULY DAY

BACK IN 1967...

I KNOW I WOULDN'T BE SITTING HERE

SPEAKING TO YOU ABOUT THE GLORY OF GOD...

BUT I AM.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

[JONI SINGING] FATHER

SET MY SOUL SAILING

LIKE A CLOUD

UPON THE WIND

FREE AND STRONG

TO CARRY ON

UNTIL THE JOURNEY'S END

EACH MILE I PUT

BETWEEN THE PAST

AND THE FUTURE

IN YOUR HAND

I LEARN MORE

OF YOUR PROVIDENCE

AND I FIND OUT WHO

I AM

I WANNA THANK YOU

FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR SON

AND FOR THE MYSTERY

OF PRAYER

AND FOR THE FAITH TO DOUBT

AND YET BELIEVE

THAT YOU'RE REALLY THERE

THE MYSTERIES OF YOUR WORD

ARE THE QUESTIONS OF MY DAYS

I SEARCH THEM NOW TO UNDERSTAND

THE WISDOM OF YOUR WAYS

JESUS WALKS BEFORE ME

AND CLEARLY MARKS THE PATH

TO GUIDE ME TO THE FATHER

AND TO

PEACE

AT LAST

I WANNA THANK YOU

FOR THE GIFT OF YOUR SON

AND FOR THE MYSTERY

OF PRAYER

AND FOR THE FAITH TO DOUBT

AND YET BELIEVE

THAT YOU'RE REALLY THERE

YES, YOU'RE REALLY THERE

I BELIEVE WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS

THAT JESUS IS THE WAY TO KNOW GOD,

IT IS TRUE.

WE MISS OUT ON SO MUCH

WHEN OUR SIN CAUSES US

TO TURN OUR BACKS ON HIM.

RECEIVING HIM AS LORD AND SAVIOR

IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION

YOU AND I COULD EVER MAKE.

HE BRINGS A NEW DIMENSION

OF LOVE

AND FORGIVENESS

AND PEACE.

I AM PRAYING

THAT YOU WILL REACH OUT TO HIM

RIGHT AT THIS MOMENT

NOT BECAUSE IT'S EASY,

BUT BECAUSE IT'S TRUE.