Dear Readers: What I'm writing here is my response to concerns Marilyn has expressed, concerns I agree with. If you don't agree, please allow Marilyn and me to communicate our thoughts, and to share them with others who feel similarly. A political argument would not be appropriate as I understand this forum.

Dear Marilyn,
I never felt that the United States was eternal, but I'll admit I was not ready to live through the collapse of our democracy. Even though perhaps I held a "rose colored glasses" view of democracy, it seemed the US was trying to offer some degree of sanity in a world much in need of sanity.
Now I am witnessing aspects of human behavior that I had hoped were declining and seeing what seems to be a dismantling of a governmental system that I felt was trying to look after the best interests of our fellow humans.
And if Social Security and Medicare are dismantled, my standard of living will be reduced significantly, especially if I live another decade.

So yes, that does not make me happy!
And frankly I'm glad that at most I have a few years to worry about. It's hard to imagine what it's like for younger friends and neighbors with children.

It also seems to me that there has been a change in the participation in Mayo Connect over this year, perhaps having to do with people feeling anxieties that they haven't expressed.

Like you, I am grateful to be in reasonably good health, and that we own our home and are debt free.
I'm especially grateful to own a few wooded acres in common with some neighbors, and that our neighbors are showing better interest in sharing the care of our woods.
And I'm grateful that we live by a state park and river that pass through our city.
Nature heals me every day.

So, for me, I do equate gratefulness with happiness.
Most of the happiness I feel occurs when I just pay attention to the beautiful daily things of life. When I see a dandelion I think how wonderful it is that I can see the color yellow. It is a miracle I experience every day!
When I study a piece of music I'm so happy that I can read music and have beautiful scores to study.
And similarly, I want to say: "Marilyn! Hello! I see you in your words and I am grateful for you and your thoughts!"
Thank you!
Ed