or at least.... I've finished my two week jury duty assignment.
If you missed my initial post, you can read it here.
However, sadly enough there are other jury's and other courts and other court systems all over the United States still a going. First, thank you to everyone who watched my children during these last few weeks. It was an interesting experience, one that I'll never forget. I walked away from it with a few a-ha's-
The first. Although our judicial system is not perfect, I believe it to be thorough and fair.
Second. Everyone should take an opportunity to serve when they are called. I was surprised to find out that our county's Superior Court sends out 1600 summons each week and on average will only receive a yes from 300 people. I know it's an inconvenience. That it interrupts our lives. But I believe that it's our civic duty and if all the good people always tried to defer or get excused from it, who would be left to be the judges?
Third. That simple saying we all learned in elementary school... You should never judge a book by it's cover.... is really true. I met lots of new individuals during my stay at Superior Court some of which I didn't get to talk with for very long and thirteen others with which I spent a significant amount of time engaging in small talk, listening to stories and deliberating with. There are really a lot of good people in the world. I was fortunate and lucky enough to have met some of them.
Fourth. Real court is not like Law and Order.
Fifth. It is always better to make a righteous choice then to make a mistake and try to correct it. I know from personal experience. I'm sure that we all do. Feeling peace is a feeling that is worth more then anything money could buy. Our loving Heavenly Father knew that everyone would fall and make mistakes. I'm grateful that we have the opportunity to repent, to change and to make those corrections. There's nothing better then to be able to look yourself in the mirror and to feel good about what you're looking at. I saw several pained faces this week. I felt a small part of their hurt, their guilt and their shame and I also experienced an extraordinary amount of love for these individuals who I did not know. The love that our Heavenly Father has for each one of us is real and it's big. I can't even begin to imagine how our Savior felt as He knelt and He bled and endured on behalf of each and everyone of us. I am grateful for our Father in Heaven, a loving Heavenly Father who outstretches his hands again and again. To sit on the other side of a courtroom and to be free to leave at the end of the day felt significant to me. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you." John 14:27.
Sixth. I live in a sheltered world. My eyes were opened wider. Never let your children go into a public restroom by themselves even if you are standing right outside the door. There are so many things that occur and can occur inside of a public bathroom besides the obvious predator.
Friends... I am happy and ecstatic to watch your children should you ever be called to serve. Call me, please!
(... and you promise to tell all the deats when you are through, right? :)
Love (jury duty cheerleader),
