The practice of law can be all consuming: dealing with clients, judges, opposing counsel, deadlines and billable hours, inter alia.  Unless we’re vigilant the things that really matter can be easily obscured by the many demands of our profession.  We must not lose sight of the fact that there is a life outside of our profession and must find a way to achieve equilibrium between work and life and never confuse the two.

The importance of finding this elusive balance was recently presented to me in stark relief.  Within two weeks of each other two towering figures in my life died suddenly, without any warning whatsoever.  The deaths were remarkably similar – both men died of massive heart attacks in the company of their wives, enjoying life’s simple pleasures.  Neither my father nor my closest friend’s father gave us any indication that they would leave without a chance to say Thank You and Good Bye.

We did however have the privilege of having known these remarkable men and will always carry with us the lessons they taught us about life, family, civility, friendship and finding time outside of our professional persona and the demands of our work to better those around them.  The lessons of a life well lived are subtle but profound.  Whether it was teaching us to respect others, regardless of their position, title, status or lack thereof, playing ball or just making time to speak with us over dinner at the end of the day – the times and lessons we took for granted then are what made us who we are today. 

Since the death of my father many friends have approached me relating their own experiences and emotions surrounding the deaths of their parents.  The common thread seems to be that regardless of our station in life we are never really prepared for the death of our parents.  It is in the most profound sense a truly humbling experience.  If there is a lesson to be taken from such an experience it may be that our time and energy should be spent on things that cannot be measured or quantified in the traditional sense.

Go home and read your kids a book, ask them about school and their friends and listen to what they have to say.  Have lunch with an old friend, leave work early and go for a walk with your spouse or parent, call your siblings, enjoy yourself and do not lose sight of the difference you can make in the lives of others by simply giving them your time.

Dad and Mr. D: “Thank You and Good Bye.”