August 2008 Archives

As my summer freedom draws to a close the week before classes begin, three images make me smile about the last three months:

Out on the porch with relatives on a sticky night in Kansas content, carefree, and crazy about the fireflies lighting up the night.

Relaxing to mozart music at the hollywood bowl, my eyes lazily following a bouquet of runaway balloons drifting over the ridge behind the hollywood sign.

Celebrating our anniversary in Victoria B.C. strolling along the water as the last northern light dimmed.

Somehow fall's responsibility of DOOR, 7 classes, the LSAT, and law school applications seems a far cry from freedom.

I am almost a little embarrassed about enjoying Anne Lamont's Plan B Further Thoughts on Faith She is not the best writer- though I will admit that her style is unique; I don't agree with her political angst, and yet her personal narrative drew me in. It is not even that her life is particularly interesting, but maybe that is why I was intrigued. She mostly talked about her son, her dog, and her Sunday school class- interspersed with diatribes about how Bush is ruining the world. It is refreshing to come across someone who can infuse the mundane with meaning and yet not inflate or exaggerate its significance.

Example: She's recalling what she said when a friend asked her to speak at a college graduation:

"They (parents) want you to love and be loved, and find peace, and laugh and find meaningful work. But they also- they also want you to chase the bunny for a while. To get ahead, sock some money away, and then find a balance between the bunny chase and savoring your life.

But you don't know whether you're going to live long enough to slow down, relax, and have fun, and discover the truth of your spiritual identity. You may not be destined to live a long life; you may not have sixty more years to discover and claim your own deepest truth. As Breaker Morant said, you have to live each day as if it is your last, because one day you are bound to be right.

It might helo if I go ahead and tell you what I think is the truth of your spiritual identity...

Actually I don't have a clue......"

I don't know why I'm drawn to reflections that look so much to the end of life- I also cried through "The Bucket list twice- hopefully it's that I am passionate about making the most of this one and only life!

I spent the past couple of weeks observing life at the Union Rescue Mission's legal aid clinic run by a Pepperdine law professor and her students. In my journey toward law school I wanted to see how people are using law in practical ways to help the marginalized.

Observations that encouraged me:

1. Poverty lawyers seemed a little like counselors hearing people's stories, interpreting what is unsaid and then offering practical help to change the explicitly external circumstances, which inevitably have internal consequences.

2. Being heard and having the justice of their cause affirmed really seemed to be a source of hope for the down and out.

3. Finding the legal aspect of the solution to people's problems involves strategic thinking that recognizes patterns and anticipates responses.

Observations that discouraged me:

1. There was a lot of paperwork- making me wonder how much lawyers are just really smart secretaries that know how to fill out the appropriate forms.

2. The legal terminology is just as elitist as philosophical terminology!

3. A decision to turn one's life around legally is often an uphill, hot in the sun battle for many people.

Overall I walked away with a deep respect for the directing attorney- Brittany Stringfellow- otey. Working to make sure that the client's legal concerns are addressed, and yet holding hands and praying, followed by a call to the local food bank to make sure practical needs were met- she is the real deal!