Yes, we cherish memories.  That has an acutely bittersweet aspect to it though.  I also have the benefit of having shrines to my parents where I can sit and talk to them and even do the "worship" rituals (leave flowers and other things, light joss sticks).  The culture here expects that so it is no problem, unlike in the States where one has to go to the tomb and even there is limited by considerations of face as to what one does.  I don't know if they are aware of this, but it is possible and that is helpful.

One is not happy because the world goes as we want it to go.  The world is perverse, sometimes doing what we want but more often in the end not.  One is happy when one decides to be happy, sometimes with a little professional guidance or teaching about how to do it and sometimes with a little chemical help, under medical guidance.  Some people show themselves resilient and happy in the worst conceivable conditions, so although external events have some immediate impact, it is what we are or teach ourselves to be that matters in the end.