"Spirit of Vatican II"

The Church, post Vatican II, is all I know and I have, for most of my life, embraced the "Spirit of Vatican II" without really knowing what that meant. The past few months, I have begun to see that much of what has been touted as the "spirit of Vatican II", is a far cry from what I actually see in the documents.
I just took a class in sacramental theology, and had to read portions of Sacrosanctum Concilium, and as I was reading, I couldn't help but to think

"I am reading the same documents that our leaders in the DOR did?"

Because I am not taking a class this semester, I decided that I was going to use this time to actually read the Vatican II documents, so I have spent the better part of the past 3 weeks doing just that. And now, I have come to understand the need for and find myself hopeful about the “reform of the reform”.
That said, I do not believe that all of the changes that have come about in the past 40 years are necessarily a “bad thing”, but I do believe that the “envelope” has been pushed a little too far. I believe though, that any reform must be handled very carefully. It is my understanding that the initial reforms of VII were thrust upon the people, with no catechesis, no transition and with much admonishment of beloved traditions as “not part of what we do anymore”.
As we travel this road of reform, let us remember  these words from Sacrosanctum Concilium

The Council also desires that, where necessary, the rites be revised carefully in the light of sound tradition, and that they be given new vigor to meet the circumstances and needs of modern times.(emphasis mine)

and in this effort to “reform the reforms” let us remember the mistakes that were made in the years after the 2nd Vatican Council, and try not to make the same mistakes again.