Colonel quotes from 7th Heaven

Eric

[when he and Annie want to adopt George] I don't see where your opinion fits into this.

That's wonderful. You're dreaming again. Who's gonna pay for the kid? The adoption? The court costs? And let's not even get into how you're going to send him to college, or any of your other five, for that matter.

Eric

They'll get to college the same way I did, Dad. They'll get jobs.

You still resent me for not paying your way.

Eric

I don't still resent you. I never resented you for that.

Yes, you did then, and you still do. But you and your sister needed to learn that you have to work for the things that are important.

Eric

I know that, Dad. I get it.

Yeah, you get it because we taught you the value of hard work and discipline!

Eric

And I'm happy to credit you accordingly!

Ruth

We just thought you might already have your hands full.

Eric

[when his parents say they're going to adopt George] George is not your average kid. He's had a tough life. The adoption itself is gonna be hard on him. He's gonna need a lot of love and support.

And you have a corner on that market?

Eric

No, of course not, but support of any kind isn't one of your strong suits.

Ruth

That's not true.

Eric

Do you ever remember holding me or Julie when we were upset? Did you ever allow us to express any of our feelings?

If you're asking me if we wiped your noses and held your hands, then the answer is no. No, we were too busy keeping a roof over your heads and food on the table!

Eric

Well, there's more to parenting than that, Dad.

Oh, and what does that mean?

Eric

It means that you are not the parents for George.

[to the Camdens] Why can't you adopt me? I'll be good, and I'll stay out of your way. You won't even know I'm there!

George, listen to me. Eric is smart about these things. He knows what's right. He's a good man, a smart man, and if you're lucky, you'll grow up to be like him. Anyway, why would you want to live with a couple of old war horses like us? You've got a whole house full of great kids right here.

They're all dreamers.

Ruth

There's nothing wrong with a little dreaming.

No. It's time you settled down and started a little dreaming of your own.

I already did. My dream was to be with you.

Ruthie

Mommy's upstairs yelling at Mary and Lucy, and I'm pretty sure the roast is burning.

Why do you think that?

Ruthie

Because there's smoke coming out of the oven.

Ruthie, you get off the phone right now and go upstairs and get your mother. Right now, that's an order! Understand?

Ruthie

Yes, sir! [hangs up]

Ruth! Pack my bags, I'm shipping out!

Eric

I finished my sermon.

I knew you would.

Eric

Gosh, you know... I've been dreading tomorrow all week, and now I can't wait.

Eric

[about Mary] Look, Annie and I aren't happy that she's not going to college, but she's working. She's earning a living, paying her bills.

Who let her buy the car?

Eric

No one let her. She just went out and bought it. And as much as I think she shouldn't have, that car is a responsibility that she can't run away from. She has to work hard and and keep her job because she has to pay for that car.

Son, to win a war you've got to fight. You got to get in there and get your hands dirty and make something happen, and you have to have a battle plan. What's your battle plan?

Eric

This isn't a war.

Oh, it's a war, all right. And a stake is Mary's future.

Eric

As much as we would like to force Mary into doing what we know is best for her, we can't. She's an adult. She has to do this on her own.

And what if she doesn't?

Eric

She will.

All right. You need money? I can help you. I have a friend who owns a clothing goods store and could use your help. It doesn't sound like much, but there's room for growth. And if you do decide to go to college, they will work around your schedule.

Mary

So you'll talk to a friend who can get me a job, but you won't lend me the money yourself?

Right.

Mary

I don't want to work at a clothing goods store.

Mary

Ah. I see. So you're going to help me, but only if I do exactly what you, Mom and Dad want me to do.

Well, I'm not just going to give you money.

Mary

You're not giving it to me! It's a loan!

No.

Mary, if you ever change your mind and need help, you let me know.

Mary

I'm not going to change my mind. I don't need help, I need money. So thank you for nothing!

I didn't want you to hear it on the news, hon. I wanted to come and tell you myself, face-to-face.

Ruthie

Well, who's gonna tell Sergeant Morgan's wife? Who's gonna tell Theresa? And who's gonna explain it to their son, Alex? Alex is only five years old! That little boy's probably never even heard of Afghanistan!

No, probably not. But I'm pretty sure he has heard of the United States of America. That's the country his father died for. The United States of America, and he died in an effort to keep freedom alive for his son and his wife, and all his family, and for all the sons and daughters and mothers and fathers in this country. He died for me, and he died for you.

Ruthie

But I didn't want him to die.

He was a Marine. He died with honor.

How do you think I felt when you rejected the Marines?

Eric

I didn't reject the Marines. I...

Chose a different path? Took a different road? When you came to me and said you were not going to enlist in the Marine Corps and indeed had already enrolled in Seminary, I felt you were rejecting me and my whole way of life. At that time, that was unbearable. And then I realized that you weren't rejecting the Marines or me. You were choosing something else, following your own heart, as is Matt. Matt may leave your house, Eric, and he may leave your church, but he can never leave behind what you taught him. What makes him, him is you. You raised him. He'll always be your son, and as long as he goes out into the world and does some good, does it really make any difference whether he's Christian or Jewish, as long as he's still Matt? That, I eventually had to realize about you. You may not be a Marine, but by heaven, you are my son, and up until now, you've always done the right thing and made me proud. Do the right thing, and make me proud.

Do I understand that you are not going to the wedding?

Eric

I have my reasons for not going, and they're not up for discussion or debate.

Who do you think you're talking to? Some friend who stopped by for coffee? I'm your father, and Matt's grandfather, and I've just flown 2,000 miles to attend this wedding. Whether you want to or not, you're gonna tell me what the devil is going on here!

Eric

Matt plans to convert.

Who cares?

Eric

I care, and obviously, you don't understand, and that's why I don't want to talk about this!

You feel that you raised Matt in a certain way--your way. And now, as an adult, he's choosing his own path, and you feel that he's rejecting you, or rejecting the road you thought he'd take in life, the road you picked for him to take life. And now you're hurt because you can't understand why he doesn't want to take your road.

Eric

Okay, maybe you do understand.