Item 1: an article I read about 60 years ago on being “nostalgic for the present.” The author noticed that every time they moved she was nostalgic for parts of the old location. Then she realized it was often for things she hadn’t consciously noticed while she had them. She decided that was dumb, so she consciously decided to start noticing and appreciating more parts of her present life, not waiting until she lost them.
Item 2: a TV version of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town that I saw about 70 years ago. Emily has died in childbirth but is given a chance to go back to life for one day. The other dead warn her not to do it, but she chooses her twelfth birthday.
She returns expecting joy, expecting to relive a happy day. Instead, she can’t bear it — everyone is so hurried and distracted. They take life, and its everyday moments, for granted. Emily has to leave because it’s too painful to watch.
Needless to say, those two incidents made a big impression on me! And those two messages explain why a lot of people are happiest in their 70s and beyond — if health problems don’t intrude too much. They do understand how short and precious life is, so they pay attention and savor it.
January 23, 2026
…simply, I try to be happy each and every day.
Yes. 🙂
It’s only when you have less of it left, that you begin to appreciate life it seems. It’s the same with cake:)
🙂
Wow, on that telling of Wilder’s “Our Town.” I’ve a feeling that’s going to stay with me.
Nostalgic for the present? Perhaps it’s my age, but even though I’ve lived in nicer places, there are times I catch myself looking around and thinking to myself, “I love my little home.”
Our apartment isn’t fancy at all, but that’s how I feel about it. 🙂
Yes, good observations and I think they are very true!
🙂
Amen to this. I reflect on many things that felt so important to me in way earlier years and today…I am so happy and content right where I am.
Same here. 🙂
I wish I could remember things I’ve read or scene from so long ago! You are amazing.
Somethings really made an impression on me. 🙂
Good advice
🙂
I for sure understand how short life is. Hard to think about, because then I get depressed. I have never seen or read Our Town, but it sounds awesome!
It made a huge impression on me.
thanks for this, I used to BEFORE the last 9 months, walk around the corner from hall into living area and think and sometimes say, I love this room. and I did and I do, but I am not seeing it the same because of what is in it now. I need to See what it is, and was again. thanks.
Good luck! You are going through so much.
It’s a shame that people always want what they don’t have. It makes for a much happier life if you can just appreciate all the things you do have
Yes. 🙂
These are good things to remember. I remember Our Town as a play put on by the drama club when I was in high school.
That’s a great play to do for teens!
I like Pixie’s answer – only when you are older and realize that there are fewer of them – do you start to appreciate the days.
Yes!
That’s an excellent point in #1. That is interesting in #2. Life is short and precious.
Yes!