THE GOOD LIFETHE GOOD LIFE88 
Mountain Views-News Saturday July 4, 2026 THE GOOD LIFETHE GOOD LIFE88 
Mountain Views-News Saturday July 4, 2026 
OUT TO PASTOR 

SENIOR HAPPENINGS

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …JULY Birthdays* 

Nina Bartolai, Mary Lou Caldwell, Louise Neiby, Betty Hansen, Melinda Rogers ,

I FOUND ANOTHER BUTTON TO PUSH 

Christine Durfort, Shahrzad Azrani, Jeanne Borgedahl, Janet Cox, Dorothy 
a restaurant. 

Montgomery, Bess Pancoska, Janet Swanson, Barbara Watson, Pat Alcorn, 
Life has its many experiences. I'm 

Karma Bell, Alice Clark, and Betty Dos Remedios, Bonnie Diener, Jan Greteman, 
about to hit number 75 this month, 

Linda Heller * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper 
a big experience for me. 

When we left the restaurant, we were going to a store 

at 626.355.2737. YEAR of birth not required 
some supplies for her craft room. We stopped at a red 
I'm not sure how to celebrate my 75th birthday, 

for The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage to purchase 

light, and a lady was crossing the road, and I said, "Oh, 
especially since I've done just about everything, so no 75 

my dear, don't hit that lady." 
candles on my cake. 
There is a deep sigh going on on the other side of the 
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage's birthday is two 

front seat. 
days after mine. Also, she's two years older than me, butyou didn't hear me say that. 

After the stoplight, we were to turn left. So as the light

turned green, I said, "You need to turn left right here." 
When we go across town for any business, we alwaystake The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage's Sissy Van. 

The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage didn't sayAfter all, she does not like riding in my truck. Also, she 

anything at that time, but I knew that marbles were 
prefers to sit behind the steering wheel. I don't like to 

rolling in her head. I sure do love pushing buttons. 
sit there because it takes me almost an hour to get inbehind that wheel. I don't know if the Sissy Van is too 

When she got back from the store and got into the Sissy 
small or if I'm just too big. 

Van, and before she turned the engine on, she looked at

me and said, "Are you having a crazy episode?" 
Personally, I don't mind her driving her Sissy Van. I canbarely get into the passenger side, but I do. Every time I 

Looking at her, I calmly said, "I don't know what you're 
ride in the Sissy Van, I learn to appreciate my truck all 

STAYING CONNECTED: THE GIFT

talking about." 

the more. 
"Oh, yes you do. And if you want me to drive home 

OF COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

My truck is a man's vehicle. I enjoy getting behind the 

you're gonna have to let me do the driving." 
steering wheel and drive around town. It's my way ofexercising my manhood. 

It was then that I lost control and started laughing. As I 

There is an old saying that we are not meant to walk through life alone. As we age, that truth becomes

looked at her, I noticed that she was not laughing. 

even more important. Friendships, conversations, and meaningful activities can bring joy, purpose,

The Sissy Van is a completely different situation. I've 

and even improve our health.

been riding with The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage 

"I'm sorry," I said, "I was just having a little bit of fun." 
for several years now, and I hope it will be a lot more 

Research has shown that social isolation can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, memory

years ahead. 

Looking at me, she replied, "You may think it's fun but 

problems, and other health concerns. On the other hand, seniors who stay socially engaged often

you don't see me laughing, do you?" 

report feeling happier, more energetic, and more fulfilled. Sometimes, something as simple as sharing

Almost a month ago, I had one of those "moments." I 

a cup of coffee with a friend or attending a community event can brighten an entire week.

don't often get "moments" like this, but when I do, I like 

She started the engine up, and we left the parking lot and 
to take advantage of it. 

headed home. Whenever she came to a traffic light to 

Summer offers many opportunities to reconnect. Visit a local farmer's market, attend a concert in the

stop, she would look at me with one of her looks and say, 

park, join a senior center activity, or invite a neighbor over for lunch. Technology can also help bridge

Over the years of riding in the Sissy Van, I have 

"Don't say a word." 

the distance. A quick video call with grandchildren or a weekly phone conversation with a friend can

discovered certain "buttons" to push. It took me a long 

make a meaningful difference.

time to discover this, but once I did, it made riding that 

It was all I could do to keep from laughing. I found new 
much more pleasant for me. 

buttons to push, and I'm happy about it. 

If you know a senior who lives alone, consider reaching out. A short visit or simple phone call maymean more than you realize. Loneliness often goes unnoticed, but kindness never does.

I have always enjoyed figuring out certain "buttons" to 

While I was thinking about this, a Bible verse came to 
push on the people around me. I've always got a kick 

mind. 

Growing older should never mean growing disconnected. Our seniors have spent a lifetime caring for

out of that, and there have been times I have gotten into 

others, sharing their wisdom, and strengthening our communities. They deserve the same care and

trouble. But the trouble has always been worth it in my 

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto 

connection in return.

opinion. 

love and to good works: Not forsaking the assemblingof ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but 

This summer, make it a goal to reach out, reconnect, and remind someone that they matter.

As we were driving across town, I started pushing those 

exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see 

Sometimes, the greatest gift we can give is simply our time.

"buttons." 

the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). 

Because no one is ever too old to make a new friend or share a meaningful moment.

Coming to a traffic light that had just turned red I said, 

Thinking of this scripture challenged me to use my time 
"The light is red and you need to stop." 

uplifting the people around me instead of pushing their“buttons”. To encourage someone in his or her life is 
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage just looked at 

probably the most important thing I can do. I may be 

WITH SOCIAL 

me after we had come to a stop at the red light. It was 

the only person that can do that in someone’s life. I’m 
all I could do to keep from laughing. But I managed it. 

going to focus on that for the rest of my life. 

SECURITY 

UNCERTAINTY,

When the light turned green, I said to her, "The light is 

My focus will be finding the encouragement “buttons.” 

green and you need to get going." 

I may be the only person in their life who can push that 
All I heard from the other side was a deep sigh. I'm not 

SHOULD

“button”. 

sure how I'm going to be able to keep from laughing, but 

YOU CLAIM

Dr. James L. Snyder lives in Ocala, FL with the Gracious Mistress of the

I'm going to work on it as long as I can. 

Parsonage. Telephone 1-352-216-3025, e-mail jamessnyder51@gmail.
com, website www.jamessnyderministries.com. 

BENEFITS EARLY?

We were going across town to celebrate our birthday at 

Dear Savvy Senior, 

I turn 62 early next year and plan to retire soon after. Most advice says I should wait to claim SocialSecurity because my monthly benefit will be higher. But with all the recent news about Social Security’sfinancial problems, I’m wondering if taking benefits early might be the safer choice. Is there ever a goodreason to claim at 62? --Ready to Retire 

Dear Ready,
You’re definitely not alone in asking this. 

The latest Social Security Trustees Report projects the retirement trust fund could be depleted around2032 if Congress doesn’t act. If that happens, Social Security would still collect payroll taxes and paybenefits, but retirees could face an across-the-board cut of about 22 percent. 

Before you rush to file, keep things in perspective. Most experts still expect Congress to step in, as ithas before, to strengthen Social Security. And even if lawmakers don’t act, waiting would still producea higher monthly benefit because any across-the-board benefit cut would apply to everyone. Whileclaiming at 62 means collecting benefits sooner, it also permanently locks in a smaller check. 

That said, there are several situations where claiming Social Security at 62 can make good financial 
sense. 

How claiming age affect your benefits 

You can start Social Security at 62, but doing so permanently reduces your monthly benefit by about 30percent compared with waiting until full retirement age (67 for those born in 1960 or later). Delayinguntil 70 increases your benefit by about 24 percent. 

For example, a $2,000 monthly benefit at full retirement age would drop to about $1,400 at 62, or riseto roughly $2,480 if you wait until 70. 

When claiming early makes sense 

For some retirees, claiming at 62 is a practical move. If you’ve stopped working and need income forbasic expenses, Social Security can provide a steady check right away. It can also serve as a bridge ifyou retire early or lose a job in your early 60s while delaying withdrawals from retirement accountsor a pension. 

Some retirees also claim Social Security early to reduce withdrawals from their IRA or 401(k) duringmarket downturns. The tradeoff is a permanently reduced lifetime benefit. 

For married couples, timing can be coordinated as part of a broader strategy. One spouse may claimearly to bring in income while the other delays to boost their future or survivor benefit. 

Health is another big factor. Delaying only pays off if you live long enough to collect those highermonthly checks. The break-even point between claiming at 62 and full retirement age is around age78 or 79. 

If you’re still working, be careful here too. Before full retirement age, earnings above Social Security’sannual limit can temporarily reduce your benefit, and claiming early locks in that lower amount forlife. 

Why delaying helps 

For many retirees, waiting means a larger guaranteed monthly benefit for life and often a higherlifetime payout if you live into your late 70s or beyond. It can also provide stronger protection againstoutliving savings. 

For couples, delaying the higher earner’s benefit can increase the survivor benefit, which may helpprovide more financial security for a surviving spouse. 

Before deciding, it’s smart to review your numbers. You can create a free account at SSA.gov/myaccountto check your earnings record and estimate benefits at different ages. Tools like OpenSocialSecurity.
com or MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com (a paid tool with a $49 fee) can also help you compareclaiming strategies. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For most people, waiting still makes the most sense. But if youneed income, have health concerns or are coordinating benefits with a spouse, claiming at 62 may bethe better choice. The key is to base your decision on your own circumstances – not fear about SocialSecurity's future. 

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

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