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Mountain View News May 9, 2026

HONORING THE WISDOM 
OF A GENERATION THIS 
MEMORIAL DAY

As Memorial Day approaches, communities 
across the nation prepare to wave flags, 
gather with family, and remember the 
brave men and women who gave their 
lives in service to our country. For many 
seniors, however, this holiday carries a 
deeply personal meaning — one built from 
memories, sacrifice, and gratitude that 
spans generations.

Many older adults lived through times of 
war and uncertainty. Some served in the 
military themselves, while others supported 
loved ones from home, worked in factories, raised families during difficult times, or endured the 
heartbreak of loss. Their experiences remind us that courage is not only found on the battlefield, but 
also in the resilience of everyday life.

Today’s seniors hold stories that younger generations need to hear. They remember neighbors 
gathering around radios during wartime announcements, handwritten letters sent overseas, and 
communities uniting in moments of hardship. These memories are living pieces of American history.

Memorial Day also offers an opportunity for connection. A simple visit to a senior neighbor, a 
conversation with a veteran, or attending a local remembrance ceremony can mean more than we 
realize. For seniors who may feel isolated, knowing their experiences are valued brings comfort and 
dignity.

This holiday reminds us that remembrance is more than tradition — it is responsibility. By listening to 
seniors and honoring their journeys, we preserve the lessons of sacrifice, perseverance, and patriotism 
for future generations.

As flags are placed and moments of silence are observed this Memorial Day, may we also pause to 
thank the seniors in our communities. Their lives are woven into the story of our nation, and their 
wisdom continues to guide us forward.

In remembering the fallen, we also honor those who carried the weight of history and helped shape 
the freedoms we enjoy this Monday.

SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …MAY BIRTHDAYS*

Beth Copti, Marilyn Diaz, Anne Schryver, Jo Ann Williams, Paul Hagan, 
Lenore Crilly, Joann Serrato-Chi, Harriett Lyle, Jean Coleman, Birgitta 
Gerlinger, Luciana Rosenzweig, Linda Wochnik, Marian Woodford, Debbie 
Sheridan, Joanne Anthony, Carole Axline, Kika Downey, Shirley Hall, Janet 
Ten Eyck, Jane Thomas, Ray Burley, Bridget Flanagan,Donna Mathisen,Vicky 
Ryan, * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 
626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 


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Dear Savvy Senior:

What kinds of legal documents do I need to help my family take care of me in my elder years? I would 
like to get my affairs in order but could use some help. 

Approaching 80

Dear Approaching,

All adults, especially an older adult like 
yourself, should have at least five legal documents 
to protect yourself and your family. 
These documents will make sure your 
wishes regarding your estate are legal and 
clear and will help minimize any conflicts 
and confusion with your family and your health care providers if you become seriously ill or when 
you die. Here are the key documents you need, along with some tips to help you create them.

Durable Power of Attorney: This document allows you to designate someone you trust to handle your 
financial affairs if you become incapacitated.

Advance Directive: This includes two documents that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life 
medical treatment. The two documents are a “living will” which tells your doctor what kind of care 
you want to receive if you become incapacitated. And a “health care power of attorney” (or health 
care proxy), which names a person you authorize to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re 
unable.

To complement your advance directive, you should also consider getting a Physician Orders for Life-
Sustaining Treatment – see POLST.org. This is a state specific form that your doctor would fill out that 
translates your end-of-life wishes into medical orders to ensure your wishes are carried out.

A Will: This lets you spell out your wishes of how you’d like your property and assets distributed after 
you die, whether it’s to family, friends or a charity. It also allows you to designate an executor to ensure 
your wishes are carried out and allows you to name guardians if you have dependent children.

In addition to a will, if you own real estate or have considerable assets, another option you may want 
to consider is a “revocable living trust.” This functions like a will but allows your estate to avoid the 
time and expense of probate (the public legal process that examines your estate after you die) and 
helps ensure your estate’s privacy.

HIPPA Release: This form gives your healthcare provider permission to discuss your medical care 
and medical bills with those you designate. You may need specific HIPAA release forms for each 
medical professional or health care establishment you deal with.

Do-It-Yourself

If you have a simple estate and an uncomplicated family situation, there are do-it-yourself resources 
that can help you create all these documents for a few hundred dollars. Some top-rated options to 
consider include Quicken WillMaker & Trust software (see WillMaker.com), Trust & Will (TrustandWill.
com) and Legal Zoom (LegalZoom.com).

Get Help

If, however, you want or need assistance or if you have a complicated financial situation, blended 
family or have considerable assets, you should hire an attorney. An experienced lawyer can make sure 
you cover all your bases – especially when writing a will or living trust – which can help avoid family 
confusion and squabbles after you’re gone.

Costs will vary depending on where you reside, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $500 
and $2,000 for a basic estate plan that includes a will, power of attorney and advance directive. If you 
want your estate plan to include a living trust, that can run anywhere between $1,500 and $5,000.

The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA.org) and the National Association of Estate 
Planners and Councils (NAEPC.org) are two good resources that have directories on their websites 
to help you find someone in your area.

If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see FindLegalHelp.org) to find low-cost legal 
help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, 
OK 73070.


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


WHAT IF I DON’T WANT TO ACT MY AGE

Throughout my life, I have often heard people telling other people 
what they should be or do. I do not know where they get the right 
to say that about other people.

I first encountered this attitude with my mother. She would often say to me, "Son, 
you need to start acting your age." At the time, I did not know what she really meant 
by that.

As far back as I can remember, I have never had any thespian ambitions. From the 
day I was born, I was always the real me. I never acted like something I was not. How 
could my mother look at me and tell me to start acting my age? If anyone should 
know how old I was, it would be her.

I had a hard time handling that until I went to school. At school, I did not know any 
other kids who were acting their age. Maybe they did not have a mother like mine.

I lived with it but could never act my age. By the time I figured out my age and learned 
how to act it, I had another birthday, which pushed me beyond that aspiration. When 
do you stop aging so that you can learn how to act your age?

When I left home, I got married, and The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage seemed 
to have the same kind of ideas as my mother.

Too often she would say, "Why don't you just act your age?"

The first time she said that to me, I was quite stunned.

I don't know how to do all of this acting. I can act like a fool, and I know how to do 
that quite well. But I don't know how to act my age because I don't know what my age 
is today. I do know that by the time I understand my age, I'll have another birthday, 
and I'll have to start the process all over again.

In all my years, I have never had any thespian training. I wouldn't even know where 
to start with that sort of thing.

Once, when The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage said, "Why don't you just act 
your age?"

I responded, "If you can give me the script I'll study it so that I can act my age."

The look she gave me was well worth my comeback.

But it is true. If I'm going to act my age, I need to have the script, but where do I find 
that script?

I had one concern: what if she gave me a script and I had to follow it? So far, she 
hasn't given me a script, so, fortunately, I will not have to act my age.

Recently, I was at the mall for some shopping. After getting my items, I got a cup of 
coffee and sat down in the middle of the mall. When it comes to shopping, I certainly 
don't have the energy. So resting after the shopping is what I do.

As I sipped my coffee, I looked around and watched people come and go. And then 
that question of The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage seemed to pop into my 
head. I looked at the people and thought to myself, "Are they really acting their age?"

I watched everyone and asked myself that question about them. I could not find 
anyone that afternoon who really knew their age. If they did know, they certainly 
were not acting it. The older the person was, the less they acted their age.

What if I get up one morning and feel like I'm 25? Do I then need to act my age, 
which is 25? I'm sure that would not thrill The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage.

The next morning, I get up feeling like I'm 65. Do I then need to act my age of 65? 
I'm sure that would not thrill The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. In fact, I don't 
think it would thrill me either. I don't know how to act like I'm limping.

Instead of acting my age, why can't I live my age? The problem with both sides is that 
we cannot define age. Age is not a number, so they tell us. Embracing who I am feels 
more genuine than conforming to societal norms.

If I lined up 10 people who are 25, each would act differently from the others. They 
would all be different, so how can I act my age when I really don't understand what 
my age is?

Fifteen years ago, on my 60th birthday, I made a resolution to myself that I would 
have no more birthdays. At 60, I was all I needed to be. I don't need any more age to 
define myself. If I don't know who or what I am at 60, I will never find out.

I've decided to never act my age because embracing my true self, regardless of 
societal norms, brings me more happiness and freedom than conforming ever could.

The great challenge of life for me is always to be true, and it’s not always easy. In 
reflecting on this, I was reminded of a verse of scripture.

“Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight” 
(Proverbs 12:22).

Pondering this verse, I believe my main objective in life is to delight God and not 
yield to the demands of anybody else.

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 
Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.com, website www.
jamessnyderministries.com.

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