As a fan of TV reruns, I admit my favorite is “The Andy Griffith Show.” I remember the Mayberry days; glad to have grown up in the 1950s, a sweeter, simpler time that my grandkids and great grandkids will never know. I do love that those kiddos can bail me out of computer issues in a nanosecond and are easily reached by cell phones, but they have no concept of a nickel allowance or playing outdoors unsupervised until the streetlights come on. None of them ever walked to school in three feet of snow, and roller skating to the store for penny candy is beyond their comprehension.

I reminisce a lot when watching Andy, fondly remembering the good stuff of simpler days, but recently had to admit to the downsides of the era. Three different episodes made me realize that today I’d never survive the ’50s.

The six backwoods Darlings were in town. After some good old hillbilly music at the jail, Andy hauled them all over to his home for a meal. With zero notice and obviously expected of the woman of the house, Aunt Bea whipped up a huge, yummy lunch for the whole crowd. You’d have to ask my husband what I would do today in that situation. I only write nice stuff.

There was the episode with the young girl and her father running their farm. She wanted to be more girly, but he didn’t approve. He needed her as a laborer. With the help of Mayberry’s female druggist, she got all gussied up. When the father scoffed, Andy plopped her on the fence near the male farmhands and suggested the farmer wasn’t “using” his daughter in the best way. All dolled up she could attract a husband and produce kids who’d eventually work the farm. OMG!

On another show, Andy made a comment about Aunt Bea. “Only fair she should have her way once in a while.” It was the ‘50s and the norm.

Will I still watch Andy? Of course I will. I’ll incorporate the sweet memories into my days and be happy to have learned and grown over the years. Combining past with present, after I go to the gym and lift weights, I’ll ride my bike to the grocery store. Maybe I’ll vacuum and then take my guy out to dinner. And maybe I’ll learn something wonderful from yet another rerun.

It was a “Tonight Show” that piqued my interest. Fortunately, the late-night program’s reruns are on at 7 p.m. so I was awake and almost functioning. Carson’s first guest was one of my favorite personalities. He walked onstage strong, shook hands with Johnny and Ed, waved to Doc and the band, and bowed graciously to the audience. He took his seat while at the same time taking two puffs on his signature cigar.

Sparkling eyes, infectious wit, zest for life and continued performing, George Burns was well into his 80s when this show originally aired. At one point in the interview Johnny asked George how he felt about getting older. His reply, “Getting older is for the 25-year-olds.” And there you have a simple yet profound statement. My takeaway from George Burns, who lived to be 100, was I’m already old, not fretting about getting older, just living and embracing life from where I sit.

I work hard to live in the moment, accept and enjoy my age. Like George, I don’t think much about getting old because if you look at the plethora of birthday cake candles that illuminate an entire room, I might just be there. So, how to do old?

Along with independence, I foster and cherish family and relationships. I gently speak my mind and know when it’s a good idea to keep quiet. I respect the opinions of others, but have no respect for boorish, abusive behavior. I take care of myself and do old with gratitude, laughter, and kindness while I mull over a recently discovered new favorite definition of this aging thing: “Old is older than I am now.”

Wishing you good aging spirits.

Carole Marshall is a former columnist and feature writer for a national magazine. She’s had stories published in Chicken Soup for the Soul books and has written two novels and one fitness book. She is Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma to some spectacular kiddos.