Don't be too hard on yourself, you're in a very big boat w/countless others. Of all that I absorb on a daily basis, I'm hearing from all directions and levels that the US dollar cannot sustain it's present value and as it adjusts to true value, the price of gold will increase again. Mr. Grandich has words of wisdom on gold, if you have not already read them.

The key is to be holding, buying "in the names", as you have done. Chin up!