Okay, not literally. The girls had very unique taste in clothing, no disrespect intended. After all, the 1980’s was a mysterious time in fashion history.

However, fashion-sense aside, us non-boomers and boomers alike owe these spunky golden ladies some gratitude. Sarcastic Dorothy, practical Rose, man-crazy Blanche and feisty Sophia bucked preconceived notions of ‘older age’ in highly individual ways by approaching life with enthusiasm and a touch of stubbornness. They adapted to new and changing circumstances with tenacity. They, quite simply, “lived”.

They dated, married and went through break-ups. They went bar hopping, crashed class reunions, participated in beauty pageants and dance-offs, and ate tons of cheesecake. Each also dealt with (and came out on top of) sometimes daunting age-related issues that threatened personal freedom: Assisted living and nursing homes, grandparenting, loneliness, employment, health and the grand kahuna, death. On the latter, Rose proposed the novel solution of having their heads frozen in a cryogenic lab at expiration so they could be brought back to life later.

But outside the television box, the best intentions to age vibrantly may be difficult to implement. Mind over matter may not always be physically possible through our unbending will alone. My real life Golden Girl grandmother -- a young 92 ever ready with a witty one-liner -- has faced increasing restrictions on her independence in recent years. She relies on others to go about many of her daily activities. Yet, every Thursday, her hair is coifed and she makes frequent trips to the casino with her younger, 80-something friends. She does the best with what she has and accepts what comes her way.

So maybe aging gracefully has something to do with the old mantra of changing what you can and letting go of the rest. I hope I am able to do the same and appreciate both joys and grief of growing older.

By the way, Golden Girl Betty White will receive a Lifetime Achievement Prize at the 16th Annual SAG Awards Jan. 23. Now that’s the sort of satisfaction only made possible through old age. Congratulations Ms. Betty!

-Samantha Palans