On July 3, 2012 the world said goodbye to Andy Griffith as he passed away at the age of 86. His beloved series, “The Andy Griffith Show,” tops the list of many, myself included, when considering one’s all-time favorite TV shows. There was just something… so very special about Mayberry. For us Baby Boomers, it was a place that was oh so familiar. From the courthouse to Floyd’s barbershop to Goober’s filling station to Andy’s living room…we knew that town by heart.
I think we also know that it depicts a time and place that never really existed…except on the TV screen and in the hearts of its countless viewers. But does that mean it wasn’t a real place? That it isn’t a real place?
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel community columnist Sherry Schultz wrote in her July 11th column; “I realize that all of my adult life I have been in search of Mayberry. Is there a place left…where politicians are not corrupt, where you can leave your doors unlocked, where Saturday night dances and Sunday picnics are big events?” Sherry goes on to ask, “If you know where “Mayberry” is, please write to me. I know it is out there somewhere. At least I hope it still is.”
Well, Sherry…if you’re hoping someone is going to give you directions to a place where you can go and find “Mayberry” I think you’re out of luck. Now that being said, I believe with all my heart that Mayberry is a very real place. But it is not a place we go to…rather, it is a place that we create. And we create it by living our lives in a such a way that every stranger is welcomed and every person knows they are cared for and loved. Sound like some kind of mythical place? Yeah it does, doesn’t it? But I also think it is a place we can all have a hand in creating. What if each of us could simply try to do those two things on Sunday morning…welcome the stranger and let one another know how much they are loved? I think that might be the beginning of a journey that just might get us to Mayberry!
Here’s to you and yours!
Pastor Andy