Revisiting I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away

Episode: “I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away” (Season 4, Episodes 21-22)

• Air Date: March 6, 1978 (Part 1), March 13, 1978 (Part 2)
• Director: William F. Claxton
• Writers: Arthur Heinemann (Part 1), Carole and Michael Raschella (Part 2)

In Little House on the Prairie’s “I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away,” Mary Ingalls faces a life-altering diagnosis: scarlet fever’s lingering effects are stealing her sight. As Walnut Grove grapples with a measles outbreak and economic collapse driven by a railroad cartel, Mary’s world darkens—literally and emotionally. Her initial denial and bitterness give way to despair when she wakes up blind. Sent to a blind school in Iowa, Mary resists help until meeting Adam Kendall, a blind teacher whose tough love sparks her resilience. Through Braille and determination, Mary finds purpose, aspiring to teach at Adam’s new school in Winoka. Meanwhile, the Ingalls family confronts financial ruin and decides to relocate, bidding a tearful farewell to Walnut Grove. This Emmy-nominated two-parter, blending heartbreak with hope, showcases Mary’s transformation and the family’s unyielding spirit, proving that even in darkness, light can be found.

Some Quotes I Chose

• “Why can’t I just sit here?” – Mary
• “Pitying yourself won’t help.” – Adam
• “I wonder how much of our lives are spent worrying about things that just don’t mean anything.” – Charles
• “God must have chosen Mary for some very special purpose.” – Reverend Alden
• “It’s a huge, dark place filled with hidden obstacles.” – Mary