Remembeing What It's About

Earlier this week I had a great day that reminded me why I want a job, why I like being a lawyer, why I like serving people. It was a much needed breath of fresh air.

Part I:
When I left the law office I took a few of my clients with me. One was a young man whose case I worked on extensively this summer (as an assistant to the originally hired attorney). It was completed except for one "minor" detail--the certifcation from a local law enforcement agent or local prosecutor. This can be extremely difficult to get--in fact, the attorney who first had the case had called about getting it and was told, basically, that they don't help immigrants (who cares that he was a victim of a terrible crime and had cooperated extensively in giving testimoney, etc. that led to the perpetrator's arrest).
So, anyway, I took over the case and this week I went to meet the client and his mom. I'd talked to them several times during the summer, but the live a couple of hours away so I wanted to meet them in person. I set up an appointment with them and drove down to meet them. Also in the week or so before, I've been debating pros and cons of various ways of getting the cert--police or prosecutor? Request in person, on phone or via letter? I've even prayed to know the best thing to do. So, went down and met Client and Mom, which was--in and of itself--a wonderful thing. I remembered how very, very much I love working with people. I like meeting new people, I like explaining what's going on, I like speaking Spanish, I like finding out their concerns and working out solutions. I love it!! Next great part. Right at the beginning of our visit, Mom pulls out a letter from an assistant in the prosecutor's office; they'd received it just last week--seems the bad guy is up for review and Client can give victim input. I was thrilled and explained to my clients that I had been praying to know what to do (they already knew we were having troubles with it) and maybe this was the answer to our prayers. After they left I called the person on the letter and asked if she knew the best way and time to approach the head guy (in person? Letter?). She said she'd get back to me. After I left there I went to the police station and tried to talk to the chief. No luck. Too bad, but it was still kind of fun to play attorney.
Fast forward a couple of hours. I got a call from the prosecutor's office. And guess what, she didn't just find out a good time/way to contact him--she told him what I wanted and he said he'd be happy to sign the certification!!!!! It was a beautiful moment. And a happy reminder that I can make a difference in people's lives.

Part II:
Not really on topic, but the next step of a good day. I went to Sister Titsworth's and she fixed my sewing machine. Happy.

Part III:
I went to meet a friend from when I first came to live in Arkansas 4.5 years ago. She lives in Van Buren and coincidentally is a good friend of one of my other clients (one of the few I took with me). We made dinner and my client and her 4 children came over, as well as my friend's grown children who I hadn't met and a couple of other people. It was a big, Spanglish party and was thoroughly fun. We also spoke at length, several of us, about immigration law, the need for good immigration attorneys, etc. (Including a fun conversation with Tammy's son who is getting ready to apply for law school, because (imagine this) he wants to help people (he's watched his mom do it, he believes his religion and he wants to spend his life serving). As I went to bed that night (at Tammy's, because it was way to late to drive back up to Rogers), I reflected on how much I enjoy that world, how I like my life weaving through others' (and vice versa). This is why life is worth it, why continuing to look for a job is worth it. It turns out I wasn't really cut out to be a hermit. :)