Cooper vs. Quinn

The episode “Cooper vs. Quinn” is one that struck a cord with me, and that one 2 parter episode brought on so many emotions that I will never forget. Since then I have admired Dr. Quinn because she took in someone else’s children without regret, without any regard that she knew nothing about raising children. It hit so close to home because my parents never wanted me and my grandparents who already raised their children took me in. They didn’t have to and because of their age; they were advised against it. I will always truly be thankful for what they did for me. I was only 3 or 4 days old when I was taken away, because my parents weren’t very nice to me; putting it mildly. When I think back to that; I can’t imagine why they had me in the first place; they didn’t try to understand me or be patient in any way, they didn’t care; but if it wasn’t for that factor I wouldn’t be happy were I am. When I saw that episode again, I kept thinking about how Dr. Mike went out west by herself to unknown territory, it just gave me renewed strength that I, myself can accomplish anything I put my mind too. I watched Dr. Quinn for guidance; they were like a second family to me. They taught me what a true family was all about. The ups and the downs. To this day I still try to follow their examples and live it like they did on the show. I tried to listen and follow the ways they taught the children. I was just 18 when Dr. Quinn came out, and it really hit home

This episode that is my favorite entwined with my life in so many ways. The episode brought back several hard memories for me. Watching Ethan come back and act like he was always there for them was very frustrating. I kept thinking that’s exactly how my dad acted. For 5 years I never seen or heard from my dad, then one day he shows up at my grandparent’s house asking to visit with me, I was about 9 years old. It was very uncomfortable let me tell you, he brought me presents and kept saying he missed me and how sorry he was for all this to happen to me. I asked him why he never came sooner and he just said he was “busy”, that was it, no explanation. I remember crying and trying to talk to him, making sure he wasn’t going to leave, and trying to hold onto him, he wouldn’t hold me but he looked me in the eyes and asked if I really wanted to be adopted by my grandparents or did I still want to see him? I of course told him both. I wanted my whole family. He told me that I could only have one or the other. He stated that if I chose my grandparents to adopt me than I can never have anything to do with him. I remember sobbing, telling him that I can love both him and my grandparents. He wouldn’t hear of it. My mom was there too, and she did sign the adoption papers and fought with my dad regarding how he was treating me. No matter what I said he didn’t listen, so he signed the papers and left. He’s never tried contacting me, I did find and locate him, I called him but he still refuses to speak with me and states I made the chose I wanted. I can’t watch the this episode without crying and thinking about my dad but seeing how much love Sully and Dr. Mike put towards the children made me admire them for it. Sully and Dr. Quinn are the best parents I’ve seen on television. Dr. Quinn means the world to me. It brought allot of closures to several obstacles I was going through. I guess what I’m trying to say is that Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman and that one episode are my favorites because of all the changes and situations they have to go through. . I am now 30 years old and I look back on Dr. Quinn as an exceptional part of my life that will never be forgotten.

B.J. Cleveland, Iowa