Thank You, Mr. Griffith

[DOUGHBOYS]

We all try to be good fathers.
We do what's best by our kids.
Try to attend any event that they are involved in.
We coach, we scold, we teach, we mold.
Anything to make our kids a better person.
We want to see the best in our kids, because as kids ourselves, we remember that if we're impressing our Dads, then we're really doing something good.

The best father in the world died today.
He stands alone at the top of the heap when it comes to fatherhood.
He was a mythical father.
One played on tv.
And no real father could ever measure up to a father on tv. We don't have a script for next week's show.

Andy Griffith's figure of a father was one that us real fathers can only aspire to be.
Week after week, his character showed us a light handed and a light hearted approach to parenthood.
Since that time, when the 'Andy Griffith Show' was a smash hit, the Mayberry's of the world have faded.
Even Mayberry today, would be hooked up to the WorldWideNet.
Goober would not be pumping gas.
Floyd would have a tough time keeping his barber shop afloat with hair salons popping up.
And regulations would require Andy to wear a gun and probably put Barney out of a job.

All that doesn't matter though. Andy Taylor set the standard for fatherhood. He not only fathered his son Opie, but in a sense, he was Barney's father, Otis the town drunk's father, heck, he was the father of Mayberry.
Yes, the best father in the world died today.
Andy Griffith has passed away.
But Andy Taylor still lives on.
As it should be. Good things should never go completely away.
And Andy Taylor is as good as it gets.

Thank you, Mr. Griffith.
Rest in Peace.