Time to Take a Breath

In December, I knew January and February were going to be rough at work.  The proverbial calm before the storm, mostly because my calendar was packed with mediations - my cases and cases I was set to mediate for others, court appearances, depositions, and meetings with current clients.  On top of that, of course, I teach a class at Nashville School of Law on Wednesday nights.  

As it turned out, I've been so busy it's been hard to schedule potential clients for consultations on my calendar.  Last weekend, I met with a potential client on Saturday morning at a coffee shop.  Then, on Sunday morning, I met with a client at the office for three hours to prepare for a hearing Tuesday morning.  I spent Sunday evening preparing for a mediation, also on Tuesday.

As I sit here this morning with coffee at The Henry, three weeks into January, I've stumbled upon an unexpected moment to take a breath.  Today was set aside to prepare for a deposition I was taking all day on Friday.  The deposition canceled yesterday, which freed up today and tomorrow.  The trick, of course, is not to shift into neutral at work - which is kind of what I did yesterday - but to grind to get the office work done that has been waiting on me.  Orders drafted, marital dissolution agreements drafted, mediation statements drafted.  On top of that, I've got various administrative duties to tend to.  Employee evaluations, decisions to be made on new furniture, maintenance not building, etc.

There's never enough time in the work day, you know?  Never.

I'm grateful for the work, though.  On most days, I'm grateful for what I do.  I feel like I'm helping people most of the time, which feeds my soul (to quote the late and Hon. Barbara Haynes, Jude's one time and all time mentor).  Twice yesterday, I had the opportunity to give advice to younger attorneys, solicited and unsolicited.  It's important to me to mentor young attorneys when I have the opportunity because I want to pass along what I learned from those that came before me - some of whom are gone - Steve Cox, Don Smith, etc.

Before class last night, I talked to Mark Fishburn, who was a criminal court judge for almost 25 years.  We struck up a brief conversation about the practice of law and, well, life, and how fast it all goes by.  I am glad we talked because, as it turns out, last night was his last class of the year.  It was nice to share a moment with him.  I wonder if Mark will teach at NSL next year?  He's 74, so who knows.  I hope so.  I wonder if I will teach next year at NSL, for that matter.    

When you think about it, it's a pretty short ride.  It just is. 

I love this photo.  Bill Depp, my mom, and Ben Sparks.  My mom is so happy.  At Calhouns on the River, in Knoxville, I believe.  30 years ago or so, I think.