And I'm sorry to have stirred up so many unhappy ones.

They didn't read like unhappy memories to me mostly, jaze. There's great pleasure in remembering hard good times, and knowing things are a bit more comfortable these days. People who haven't got that kind of thing in the background area must miss a lot of the fun of being warm and well-fed and all.

And in spite of everything, there's still stuff you miss from those kind of times.

It ought to be possible to get the best of both worlds, and I imagine that's what you'd be aiming at.

Here's a Christmas Song -

Paper chains, paper chains,
held together by paper chains,
Seasons pass, and times may change,
but we're held together by paper chains.

Paper chains from a far-off night,
with the Christmas moon so round and bright
We were tired and busy and on our way,
but the paper chains made us stop and stay.
Paper chains, paper chains,
held together by paper chains,
Seasons pass, and times may change,
but we're held together by paper chains.

There's a chain of ladies, and birds in pairs,
and a chain of fat little Russian bears,
they were cheap and flimsy to throw away,
but those paper chains are still here today.
Paper chains, paper chains,
held together by paper chains,
Seasons pass, and times may change,
but we're held together by paper chains.

Well they're worn and mended and torn and tied,
but they still cling on every Christmastide,
and it seems each time that they'll break and tear,
but they still hang on for another year.
Paper chains, paper chains,
held together by paper chains,
Seasons pass, and times may change,
but we're held together by paper chains.

All round the room like a chain that binds,
and we're safe inside for another time.
And the small birds kiss, and the bears hold paws,
and the chain of ladies can dance once more.
Paper chains, paper chains,
held together by paper chains,
Seasons pass, and times may change,
but we're held together by paper chains.

Then it's time to fold them and lay them by,
and turn once more to a world that flies,
while Christmas waits, with the paper chains,
God keep us safe, till we meet again.
Paper chains, paper chains,
held together by paper chains,
Seasons pass, and times may change,
but we're held together by paper chains.