[senior citizen]

We are all very blessed to be living in this country, in our own chosen locations, without fear of danger striking......such as is happening in some hot spots in the world today.

No, our government cannot step in to every single war zone or conflict zone, but we all should be aware, plus horrified, at the injustices done to innocents.....all over the planet..........by misquided TERRORISTS in the false name of religion.

One's faith should be an inner contemplation; a private emotion. Not forced by dictate of a bunch of total lunatics.

Is there such a thing as a perfect society, where everyone would be kind, understanding & helpful to one another, while living communally? Sharing the work; while sharing the bounty.

Describe what a "perfect" society means to you.

Who should be in charge of the "perfect" society?

Would you rather live in a "perfect" society or a flawed one?

(Note: For those who misinterpret.....I'm NOT talking Communism; just wondering about the original leanings of these sects below.....as shown by U.S. Park Service)

UTOPIA is commonly thought of as an ideal and perfect society in which everyone lives in harmony, while everything is done for the good of its citizens.

The concept has actually been attempted in our country via the secular & relgious groups below.....plus many many more not listed..........

Is it better for "same/similar" types to co exist peacefully.........such as the Amish, Mennonites, etc.? Various religious orders who still farm in order to provide their own food, etc. such as the Monks of New Skete in Cambridge, New York?
Or, is living peacefully, such as in total world peace, a non existant reality, given the state of the world today.

My own wish would be to avoid hatred, violence, cruelty......emphasizing instead peace & harmony.

But, is it possible? We prefer a quiet existence, lived peacefully.

http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/amana/utopia.htm

U.S. PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
(National Register of Historic Places.......please see link above; keep scrolling to bottom)

Utopian Societies: A list of attempted such communities (in the past; nineteenth century) as most of them are either fading away or down to a minimal number of members.
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The Amana Colonies; Amana Iowa (We've visited many times; lovely picturesque area)

The Shakers; Hancock Shaker Village, Berkshire County, Massachusetts (ditto)

Brook Farm; West Roxbury, Massachusetts

The Oneida Community; Brattleboro, Vermont

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In ending.......

Well, we are feeling comfortable in the peaceful place that has been our "home" for 45 years of our 70 years on earth.......same neighborhood since 1970.........(first 25 years was in New Jersey).

This hilltop neighborhood has seen all of the elders die off (the ones that were additional grandparent role models to our babies, toddlers, school aged children, college kids & who attended their weddings; all of our house parties)...........so lots of history here in this neighborhood.

Now, we are the elders & the younger families are coming over to help us out (such as plowing the snow, etc., checking on the house, etc.)...........

Time certainly does fly by, the older one gets.........but the memories all linger on.

Although there may be NO SUCH THING AS A PERFECT SOCIETY.......these cradle to grave towns, where people remember each other's babies being born, whose children all went off to school together.......went to their weddings, cried at funerals, visited at the local hospital, etc......who shared JOY, LOVE, GRIEF, SADNESS as well as CONTENTMENT with a myriad of different types of neighbors, who still had the same goal in life.........to raise happy healthy families.....and did so. A triumph in today's society. EVEN to be married 50 years is a milestone.

When my mom was in adult daycare for early stage Alzheimers, the young activity assistant , who would drive some of the group home, would often tell me that he thought our "home" was right out of "Leave it to Beaver", the type of home he always wished he had enjoyed growing up......naturally, I invited him to stay for supper many times.

Our now adult children's aged"40" something childood friends, who have stayed in town, still stop in to say "hi".........the ones who moved away, ditto, when they are visiting their folks or when our kids return home for family reunions or holidays. Lots of great memories for ALL AGES........even though we are older & they now have the children & babies.......

To me, that is a Utopia. Sometimes it just dawns on you. A sort of "continuity".

Travel is still great fun.........but "home" is "home".......where the heart is; where the memories are............where there is continuity.

There is no such thing as perfection. However, peacefulness in the heart & soul is worth more than any perfect utopia could ever offer. Our days are getting longer; warm up due next week......while our grandkids are enjoying Nordic skiing, downhill skiing, ice skating on frozen ponds.........we are going to finally take down our Christmas tree after Russian/Ukrainian Christmas which was January 7....& get ready for spring..........while planning our travel.