THE GOOD LIFETHE GOOD LIFE88 
Mountain Views-News Saturday July 4, 2026 THE GOOD LIFETHE GOOD LIFE88 
Mountain Views-News Saturday July 4, 2026 
THE GIFT OF STAYING 
CURIOUS AT ANY AGE 

One of the greatest gifts of growing 
older is the wisdom that comes from 
life's experiences. Yet, there is another 
gift that is just as valuable and often 
overlooked—curiosity. 

Many people believe learning is 
something we do when we're young. 
The truth is that our minds and spirits 
continue to grow when we give them 
the opportunity. Staying curious can 
bring joy, improve emotional wellbeing, 
and even help keep our minds 
active. 


Curiosity doesn't have to mean learning a new language or taking a college course. It can be as 
simple as trying a new recipe, visiting a local museum, joining a walking group, or asking someone 
to share their life story over a cup of coffee. Reading about a subject you've always wondered about 
or learning how to use a new app to stay connected with family can be equally rewarding.
The summer months are a wonderful time to explore something new. Attend a community event, 
invite a friend to lunch, or volunteer for a cause that is meaningful to you. Even small changes in 
our routines can bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy. 

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about curiosity is that it reminds us that life is still unfolding. 
There are still friendships to make, places to visit, and memories to create. 

No matter your age, there is always something new waiting to be discovered. Growing older doesn't 
mean our story is finished—it simply means we've earned the privilege of writing new chapters. 

Stay curious. Stay connected. And never stop discovering the wonderful possibilities that each new 
day brings. 


OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

AFTER ALL, A PENNY IS A PENNY 

As I was leaving the post office, I hurried across the parking lot to get to my vehicle. As I 
usually do, I kept my eyes focused on the ground as I walked to my vehicle. Then, I saw 
it. There it was in all of its stunning beauty. I stopped for a few moments to look at it, and 
then bent over and picked it up. It was a penny. That’s right, one cent. 
I couldn’t wait to get home to show it to The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. She knows how much I love 
collecting pennies. Of course, I have other coins as well, but it’s so great to walk in a parking lot and find a 
Penny. 

Walking in the front door of the house, I shouted, “Honey, I’m home. You’ll never guess what I found today.” 

She shouted back at me, “Let me guess. You found a penny in the parking lot.” 

Quite stunned, I replied, “How did you know?” 

“Well,” she said, “I knew you were going to the post office which has a large parking lot and you always find 
a penny in the parking lot. So I really wasn’t guessing I just knew what you found.” 

I walked into the kitchen where she was and showed her the penny I found at the parking lot. With a great 
smile on my face, I said, “Isn’t this penny beautiful?” 

“You do know,” she said, “that a penny is only a penny?” 

“I know a penny is a penny and I’ve been collecting them for years.” 

She wasn’t really impressed with my obsession with coins. I had a fairly large coin collection, and I can 
always add to it, even if it’s just a penny. 

I tried to explain to her that 100 pennies equal one dollar, and even if it's just a penny, collecting them is 
about enjoying the small wins and the simple pleasures in life, which I believe everyone can appreciate. 

What I find intriguing about pennies in a parking lot is that they don’t cost anything. These tiny treasures 
bring me simple happiness, and I enjoy the feeling of finding something free and unexpected. 

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage is one of those BOGO shoppers, and she’s quite proud of how she 
can really get bargains. When you buy one and then get one free, that means they’re half the cost. Anytime 
you can save money is okay with me. 

I spent some time in the afternoon looking at my collection of pennies. I knew all of the parking lots where I 
found a penny. I’ve been on vacation and found a penny in a parking lot. I can’t tell you how much pleasure 
I get just looking at these pennies I found. Pennies that cost me nothing, I like. 

There was that one time when The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage came home and said, “You’ll never 
guess what I found today. I found a quarter in the Publix parking lot.” Then she laughed most hysterically. 

She came into my office, where I was working, held up that quarter, and said to me, “See, a quarter is much 
more than a penny.” All she talked about that day was the quarter she found in the parking lot. A quarter 
equals 25 pennies. Duh! 

I knew what she was doing, and I congratulated her on her wonderful findings for the day. I know that 
quarter will be used in her BOGO shopping. Believe me, I was happy for her. 

Once in a while, I’ll find a quarter or a nickel or even a dime, which brings me great pleasure, I can assure 
you. 

I know these parking lot findings are really that valuable. But, as I tell The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, 
they’re all free. And that makes them special to me. 

This will never happen, but one day I would love to find a $100 bill in a parking lot. That thrill of surprise 
would make my day, and I'd be eager to share it with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. 

Since the government has stopped producing pennies, maybe one day my collection will be worth a lot. 
Until then, I appreciate how my frugal habits, like saving pennies, reflect a wise approach to life and money. 

My father passed his frugal attitude down to me. Because of that, I have a great deal of respect for coins like 
pennies. I believe it’s not how much you make in life, but how much you spend. A friend won a million-
dollar lottery. Within two years, he was bankrupt. 

Another attitude of my father was that it’s not how much you make, but how deep in debt you are. And I’ve 
been very careful over the years not to get into debt. I don’t need the best of things or the latest; just what I 
can afford. 

One of my favorite Bible verses is 1 Timothy 6:10. “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while 
some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 

Many people misunderstand this verse and use it out of context. Money is not the problem; the “love of 
money is the root of all evil.” I need money to live, but I must realize that there is more in my life than money. 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS 


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HOW TO MAKE SURE YOUR ENDOF-
LIFE WISHES ARE FOLLOWED 

A living will is an important first 
step, but it may not guarantee 
your wishes are carried out. 
Learn how a POLST form and 
other simple measures can 
provide added protection. 

Dear Savvy Senior,
I had a living will/advance 
directive prepared about 10 years ago documenting my end-of-life medical wishes, but I’ve 
read that these documents are often ignored. What can you tell me about this? –Troubled Tina 


Dear Tina, 

Yes, unfortunately, it’s true. Living wills aren’t always followed in real life. Often, it’s simplybecause the document isn’t available when it’s needed or never makes it to the right people. 
They can also fall short because they’re not medical orders, and their language may be too vague 
to guide doctors in an emergency. That doesn’t mean your wishes won’t be respected. It just 
means a little extra planning can go a long way and save everyone stress later. 

Here’s how you can make sure your wishes are honored. 

Advance directive + POLST 

About 40 percent of older 
Americans have an advance 
directive. This usually includes 
a living will that spells out the 
care you want if you become 
incapacitated, and a health care 
power of attorney (or proxy) 
naming someone to make 
decisions for you. 

To give your instructions more 
weight, talk with your doctor about 
completing a POLST (Physician 
Orders for Life-SustainingTreatment) – sometimes called 
MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-
Sustaining Treatment) or POST 
(Physician Orders for Scope of 
Treatment), depending on your 
state. Unlike a living will, this is a doctor-signed medical order followed by EMTs and hospital 
staff that turns your wishes into clear instructions for treatments like CPR, breathing machines 
and feeding tubes. 


These treatments can save your life but may also cause serious harm if you’re very sick or frail. 
Discussing these options now helps you think through the trade-offs and makes it easier for 
your family to understand your choices, which can reduce stress if a decision needs to be made 
quickly. 

Even if you already have an advance directive, adding a POLST can make your wishes much 
clearer. Without one, first responders are usually required to attempt resuscitation and take you 
to a hospital, where doctors may pursue aggressive treatment if your living will isn’t on hand or 
specific enough. 

Once your POLST form is completed, make sure it’s easy to find and use when it matters 
most. Keep one copy on the refrigerator, carry another in your wallet, and save a photo on 
your smartphone. Share copies with your health care proxy, family members, and doctors so 
everyone understands your wishes. 

It’s also a good idea to ask your providers to add the form to your electronic health record, since 
medical information isn’t always shared between hospitals and care facilities. These simple steps 
can make a meaningful difference and help ensure your wishes are more likely to be honored. 

If talking about these matters with your family feels awkward, websites like The Conversation 
Project and Prepare for Your Care can guide you. 

One more tip: if you’re planning surgery, you may want to temporarily suspend your POLST 
during the procedure in case your heart stops briefly while in the operating room. 

And if you haven’t created an advance directive yet, you can do so for free at caringinfo.org or 
mydirectives.com, or for a small fee – $5 to $7.50 – at fivewishes.org. Taking these steps now 
can help make sure your wishes are followed and ease the burden on your loved ones when the 
time comes. 

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Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com