You have not heard from me in a couple of months. Sometimes we get busy. Sometimes we get distracted. Sometimes we try to push things out of our mind. The problem with depression is that those thoughts that make us depressed never really leave our mind. You drive down a particular street. You hear a particular song. You eat in a favorite restaurant. These things stir memories and bring back the barrage of what-ifs. We start to feel more guilt for not taking the time to do what we know needs to be done.
I have been distracted. The last few months have brought a combination of all three. My wife, Sharon, my daughter Bethany and my grandchildren are the sources of much joy in my life. For quite some time now my 4 year old granddaughter, Kaitlyn, has been dealing with a serious health issue arising from a non-malignant brain tumor (Hypothalamic Hamartomas) that was causing seizures and affecting her long term quality of life. In September she underwent a five hour plus surgical procedure at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. The surgery was successful but there will be long-term care including high priced prescription medication and ongoing follow up. The fear of what might happen next to Kaitlyn or anyone else close to creates great stress and depression.
But to help others I must put aside the distractions and return to my promise to Luke, to speak for him. Something recently happened that really brought it to my attention. I have met a number a new lawyers recently. Many are very talkative and friendly. Others, more standoffish, as they feel their way through their new profession. I understand. I was them once. But there has been one particular young attorney who I have run into in court on multiple occasions. I have said hello and seem to get a muffled grunt in response. My first impression was to think he was “uppity” and had no time for me. But as this happened a few more times, I go back to a conversation that I had with Judge Kathy Mangeot in the spring of 2016. She spoke to me about Luke and how softly he spoke when he was in her courtroom, as if he had little self-confidence. I know how successful he was in so many areas and confident in his skills, so I could never understand what caused him to be a “shrinking violet” in the courtroom.
The bottom line is we cannot judge a young attorney or any other person solely by some brief interactions we have with them. We do not stand in their shoes. We cannot feel what they feel. We need to give them the benefit of the doubt. It is a new world for them and it is up to me and my colleagues to be positive role models and demonstrate that most lawyers really are good guys.
The Trials of Luke 