It is absolutely not “calcified melancholy”. My father is a deeply religious man, has a degree in chemical engineering from MIT, was a professor of Hematology for 40 years, and was incredibly highly respected by everyone who knew him, and in particular by his church community. He studied Latin as a child, is an avid bird watcher, and has lived an extraordinarily happy, meaningful, and impactful life. His has been a life of service and of joy. I’m afraid that rich lives like his are becoming a thing of the past.