Your feelings at the end of LotR

[Samwise Gamgee]

I just wanted to guage how people feel after reading LotR. Not just the feelings, but what you take from the read, whether it changes depending on your circumstances.
This may sound weird, but the reason is thus: I think of LotR as a tragedy. Many disagree, but my reasoning is thus: at the end of LotR I shed a tear, but not only because I've come to the end. We all know that the return to the Shire things are just not what they were. Sure, things get better after a year or two with the help of elven magic, but the Shire I imagine when Sam and Frodo ride away is not the Shire I have in my mind when I begin reading The Hobbit. This is kind of a reflection of Tolkien's despising technology. He loved the kind of rustic existence the hobbits enjoyed before any of this happened, but would despise the foul chimney pumping out fumes and raping the Shire which the wanderers encountered on their return. Because of that, I just never see the Shire in the same way.
Furthermore, there's just that overwhelming feeling that things will never be the same. You can argue all you like that LotR isn't real, but you'll never convince me. I just can't imagine what Middle Earth would be like without Frodo, Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel... you get the idea! Just imagine M.E. without the elves. It's actually painful. So, when the Ringbearers sail West from the Grey Havens at the end, despite knowing they will be content, I am sad. Sad as I think of the way Sam must feel. He gave everything for Frodo, and now he is leaving. How must Sam feel. Sure, he must know it's for a greater good, but it must nonetheless hurt like hell. It's a weird thing that I am actually happy Tolkien never finished the book on the fourth age that he began. I don't want to read a M.E. book missing characters I have grown to love.
I know it sounds weird, but these are my feelings. When I finish reading 'He drew a deep breath. 'Well, I'm back,' he said.' I cry. I cry because I think of the journey and all that happened, and i know things will never be the same in M.E.
How about you?