The Camden Family are introduced in this very first episode. They are a family consisting of seven people, who live in Glen Oak, California. Protestant minister Eric Camden, and homemaker Annie, enjoy a very harmonic, loving and happily married life as they raise their five children; Rebellious Matt, athletic Mary, emotional Lucy, inquisitive Simon, and precocious little Ruthie - ages ranging from five to sixteen. In this episode, Annie's parents, Charles and Jenny (Alice Hirson) fly in for a visit from Phoenix, Arizona. Annie learns that her mother has been diagnosed with acute leukemia, and is refusing any treatments.