The recent budget cuts in Massachusetts have most government agencies scrambling with smaller budgets.  In an attempt to fit their tighter budget, the Registry of Motor Vehicles is cutting costs by no longer mailing notices to remind residents of the need to renew their driver’s licenses.  This means that residents are now personally responsible for checking the expiration dates of their licenses and renewing in a timely fashion.  The Registry of Motor Vehicles recommends renewing your license at least seven days prior to your birthday to ensure that you receive your new license before the old one expires.  You can also renew your license online.  For more information, visit the Registry’s website.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I had surgery two and half weeks ago - back surgery to be exact.  While the recovery is going well (thanks to those who have emailed and sent their wishes and prayers) it still takes patience.  I am the first to admit that I have no patience when it comes to being injured.  As I’m sure many of you can relate, it’s frustrating when the body doesn’t do what it’s supposed to.  I constantly remind myself that it’s about progress, not perfection.

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Attention loving and caring parents: If you have an adult child who does not have a rock solid estate plan like you do, then I have an answer to the question “What can we get the kids for the holidays?”  Give them the most unique and important gift you can - their own estate plan! Now before you dismiss this as being downright crazy, consider this…

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I recently had back surgery that had me in the MetroWest Medical Center - Framingham Union Hospital for several nights.  My last day and night I had a roommate.  She seemed a pleasant enough woman.  She had fallen and hit her head while living in her assisted living apartment.  Sounds like it went undetected until she was suffering nausea, vomiting and being unbalanced.

When she arrived in my room she was accompanied by two daughters.  Both stayed for a few minutes to make sure she was settled, showing her how to operate the television and her nurse’s call button. Then they were gone and the snoring ensued.

It was clear when nurses came in to talk with her that her competency was questionable at best.  To her credit, she knew where she was but not why.  She remembered living in the assisted living community, just not when she was last there.

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I hail from one of those rare families where really no one, save my grandmother’s younger brother and father’s half-brother, served in any armed forces. Certainly, no one saw any combat. Does that make my family unpatriotic? Some would certainly say so. I tend to think that such service runs in families. It becomes custom in some families for sons and daughters to join the Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Army. In some families it is an act of rebellion, or trying to find one’s way in this world. Whatever the impetus, I’ve always admired and honored those families that have served our country.

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