When exactly was it that we were healthier and wealthier and had more freedom?

two years ago

For everyone or just you personally?

it would be a hard question to answer for everyone without access to your detailed financial and medical records. even just for me, i did have more freedom and slightly better health, but i wasn't wealthier. ditto if we go back six years or sixteen or 26. money seems to be something that's relatively controllable, much more so than health or freedom, from my experience and observations of my little sphere. and of course even the money depends on how well we've plotted out our careers and lifestyles.

do what you can to control what you can. things could get better or worse at any time, so take satisfaction and enjoyment where you can. i'd never say 'live each day like it's your last' is a good long-term philosophy, but 'live each day like anything could happen next' sounds about right.

'live each day like anything could happen next' Is good motto to live by. Sounds like what my dear late grandmother thought me (she made it through a Japanese prison camp, keeping her four children alive): 'Live every day as if it was your last but keep it mind it might not be'.

Does he even REMEMBER the good old days?

Not likely. Some never have good days because they're always whining.;-)