My Andy Griffith memories

Of all my childhood memories, one of the fondest was the Andy Griffith Show and the carrying-ons of Sheriff Taylor, Opie, Aunt B, Barney, Gomer and Goober.  Yep, I spent many a day dreaming of the idyllic life of Mayberry California.  The show was, and still is, pure gold.  What an amazingly feel-good TV show and what a fine example of a humble servant.  I didn't get that second point to much later in life but now realize how Andy Taylor, the Sheriff, often humbled himself to make the clumsy deputy, Barney, look much better than reality.

I was always awed by the Andy Griffith show, even many years later, in reruns.  I did not take to his Matlock performances at all, although I have fond memories of my mother loving her some Matlock.

In 2009, on a visit to North Carolina to see my son, my wife and I took off down I-40 west headed toward Asheville.  Long before Aheville, we exited north to Mt. Airy, NC driving right by the real Pilot Mountain, obviously inspiration for the fictional Mt. Pilot.  Mt. Airy, of course, is the real life home to Andy Griffith that became Mayberry in the TV show.  We arrived in a town that closely resembled Mayberry, although much more a tourist destination that Mayberry.  We saw Andy's boyhood home and walked by places named the Mayberry Diner, Floyd's Barber Shop, the Courthouse and Jail and Wally's Service Station.  I was in Mayberry Heaven.

I have often wanted to go back for a return visit and missed a golden opportunity just last week.  Ironic!  Just a few weeks back we were mourning the passing of Gober, George Lindsay and now Andy Griffith.  To the best of my knowledge that really only leaves Opie, Ron Howard, as the remaining cast member of this iconic television show.

So today I recall many fond memories of Andy Griffith, the TV show and that magical afternoon in Mayberry known as Mt. Airy, NC.  And my prayer today is may Andy Griffith rest in peace!