The Whispers of Mayberry
by Paul Flanagan
I can close my eyes and fell the whispers of Mayberry living inside of a time long forgotten. A time where kids ran barefoot in the summer and Aunt Bee backed kerosense pickles but delcious apple pies. A time when laughter and family mattered and the worst problems were how to impress a shoe sales man from New York that the 'Men Folk' were tricked into believing he a big time television guy. I can see the inside of the courthouse as clear as day. The two jail cells were old friends rather than cold confinement. The courthouse was a dad that always had his arms held out to gather in the smiles and laughter of Mayberry. Andy's house was just right down the street and Opie could visit at any time when he needed a nickle for milk or some good old 'Pa' advice.
I can feel the whispers of Mayberry.
I can see how pretty Thelma Lou's smile is when she is sitting in Barney's 'New Car' and then I can see her shock when Andy tells her that Barney is going to sing in the choir. I can see how pretty Ellie's smile is when she spends Christmas Eve inside the courthouse and then I can see her temper when Andy tells her the 'Women Folk' aren't meant to get involved with the city council. Oh, where did Elie go? Such a sweet smile and glowing eyes that made Mayberry beautiful.
I can see Ed Sawyer getting off a bus and walking into Floyd's Barbershop for a friendly visit--only to leave his new friends bewildered and uneasy. Where did Ed go? Did he ever marry Lucy? And what about Sam's new baby boy he named after Andy? Did Sam continue to farm? And what about Ernest T. Bass? Does his rocks still whisper through the silent streets of Mayberry where heavy sighs and sad reruns walk alone?
And why did my good friend Barney ever have to leave and work in Raleigh? Did he not realize that Mayberry was hallow without him? Such a scrawny runt he was...yet, his smile and character held Maryberry together. And then there is Andy. Andy was a smiling friend at first, then he changed when a certain school teacher I do not like spoiled Mayberry. Andy went from being 'Sheriff Taylor of Mayberry', a fun, loving, happy guy that you liked to see, to a rigid, flat, panacke. Only if Andy could have remained with Elie at Christmas and never lost his heart for laughter.
And Opie. Such an endearing, handsome lad he was. The All-American kid who liked to throw football and fish with his Pa. Then Opie grew up and he changed. The little opie that gifted the heart of Mayberry became flat like his Pa. If only I could rewind time and make Opie stay seven years old forever. But, as it is with all thigs, Mayberry, too, began to change.
Barney left. Thelma Lou left. Elie left. new faces appeared. The heart of Mayberry began to fall into a deep, sad, sleep.
Why? Because Mayberry needs Elie, Barney, Thelma Lou, Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee and Floyd. Mayberry needs the Ed Sawyers and Ernest T. Bass'. Mayberry needs the man with telephone man who cna blow smooke out of his ears and the Quiet Sams. Mayberry needs the pickle contest and Mayberry needs barney to grow a few inches and put on a few pounds or else he might not get to be deputy anymore. Mayberry needs Barney to sing in the choir and Andy to help a guitar playing friend get hired on with a traveling band. Mayberry needs Andy to help an out-of-work friend stay in his home with his family and outsmart a crankly old man. Mayberry needs Otis Campbell to sober up and wear shoes that hurt his feet.
The whispers of Mayberry are silent and long now, roaming around an empty little town that once brought so much joy and laughter.
Old friends seem so far away.
But then a certain whisper comes to me and states: Put on a return my friend. Return to Mayberry for a short while You friends are waiting to see you again inside of your heart.
Perhaps in a world where people can't leave home without a cellphone and can't drive cars without GPS systems it seems like Mayberry is long forgotten. But not in my heart. I can still hear Barney doing a mean 'Ho, Ho, Ho' and Ellie singing 'Away in a Manger'. I can still Thelma Lou's precious smile and see Aunt Bee making her kerosene pickles. I can still see Andy being who he was meant to be instead of who he was never meant to become. I can still see little Opie running into the courthouse. A Mayberry where Floyd cuts your hair and you can get a soda at the drug store--if the lady's aren't in there gossiping, of course. The whispers are long and sad at times, but they are there, living on in the hearts of those who remember and yearn for a better time.
What do you feel when the Whispers of Mayberry return to your heart? I can always go back in time and visit the Mayberry I love most--I can spend Christmas with my friends inside the courthouse--a night that never has to end.
Amazing how one little show touches a heart so deep. The Whispers of Mayberry will never be silent in the hearts of those who remember.
G-D Bless.
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