#210 TO EVERYTHING A SEASON  (Original air date:   11/27/97)
 

Written by:	Mimi Schmir
Directed by:	Gene Reynolds
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen, E.F. Wallengren & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Steve Dunbar	Michael Reilly Burke
Laura Dunbar	Kate McNeil
Reverend Alvarez	Yancy Arias
Ronnie	Wes Charles, Jr.

 

The Greenes arrive in Arizona to visit Claire's sister Laura and her husband Steve Dunbar for Thanksgiving. While Claire hasn't yet announced her pregnancy, Nathaniel is the first to inadvertently let the cat out of the bag. Laura tries to share in Claire's good fortune and mask the personal pain she's experienced from her own difficulty getting pregnant. When Claire accidentally walks into the vacant "baby room," she suddenly realizes the amount of time, money and anguish her sister has invested in becoming pregnant without success. In frustration, Laura thrashes the "baby room" they've put so much of their faith and hopes on. Laura suddenly collapses and is rushed to the hospital. The doctor informs the Dunbars that Laura experienced ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome and will be unable to bear children. Meanwhile, the Greenes volunteer to help out at a local youth shelter to celebrate the spirit of Thanksgiving. When one of the youth shelter kids, Ronnie, is arrested for trespassing, it is Steve, a local contractor, who decides to press charges. Russell tries to talk Steve out of it, but Steve is convinced that the youth shelter is going to be bad for business. While in the hospital, Laura steals a moment alone with a baby in the new born nursery. She realizes that adoption may be the answer. But Steve is still unwilling to consider being a father to someone else's child. Russell counsels Rick and tells him that while there are no easy answers, prayer is a good start. Russell adds that fatherhood is more than a biological experience and how blessed they've been to embrace Nathaniel as a part of their family. Steve takes Russell's advice to "get his knees dirty" and pray. As the conflict comes to a head, the mayor holds a town hall meeting to determine the fate of the youth shelter. Reverend Alvarez (the head of the youth shelter) makes a compelling argument for the youth shelter and opinions are voiced on both sides. Steve reiterates his concerns but then makes a surprising reversal in support of the youth shelter. He puts it eloquently, that a successful business community needs safe neighborhoods, but not if we have to give up our hearts and souls in the process.