I have come to dread the end of Summer. For a parent who, admittedly, enjoys spending unscheduled time with his kids, the last week of August serves as a stark reminder that, “[some] good things must come to an end.” This summer has been filled with various highlights including a last minute weekend trip to Disneyland and spending valuable time with extended family. Summer also entertained its fair share of disappointments, including endless days of Netflix movies (and similar brain draining activities), neighbor (singular) feuds, and a handful of actual bumps and bruises. In order to get past the drama of it all, including the emotional toll daily living can impose, I try to look forward to unique opportunities that remind me, “the best is yet to [come].”
Consequently, I am committed to ending the summer of 2014 on a high note! How? As a juror. Don’t laugh. You see, I have been summoned to appear for jury duty in the Eighth Judicial District Court (Las Vegas) for the State of Nevada the last Friday before my kids go back to school. I understand this isn’t everyone’s “cup of tea” and that jury duty imposes a palpable disruption to daily living. Above all, the pay is crap ($18 per day!?!). As a practicing trial lawyer, however, I cannot think of a better way to peak inside the juror’s mind than to participate in actual, meaningful jury deliberations. It also provides me with an unique opportunity to show my gratitude, through service, for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens.
Talk about an opportunity!
Dreams aside, my chances of actually becoming a sworn juror are slim. First off, I am an overweight, pasty kid with a law license who has an undying instinct to protect the feeble, yet determined David against the relentless wrath of any taunting Goliath. So, if the case involves anything related to insurance bad faith, the at-fault party will not be “in good hands.” It is also important to disclose that any bogus arguments of “degenerative conditions” and [unfounded] tales of “malingering” from the defense, will only fall upon deaf ears. It may even result in punitive damages. Second, provided I get paid to talk for a living, I just might chat my way off the cliff of opportunity during voir dire and find myself back in the office, behind my catalog mail order, mocha colored desk.
As we navigate life’s challenges, I hope each of us can learn to look for the good– even when it involves serious injuries caused by someone’s carelessness. For some of you, this may involve learning to walk again, calculating simple arithmetic, or laughing in the absence of someone you love. It’s hard and will certainly take time. But it’s always worth it. Life is not easy. I suppose we learn more about life from it’s unexpected challenges than we do from riding the Matterhorn and eating overpriced Churros. I also strongly believe that, somehow, it all ends well and each moment is worth enjoying regardless of our circumstances. Cheers.
