Retirement

As the second hand ticked closer and closer to midnight... tick, tick, tick.... 11:57, 11:58, 11:59... April 29, 2011 is over as the hand struck 12:00 carrying over into the 30th of April 2011.  What is significant you ask about this moment for me?  As the second hand carried time into the next day, this marked the last day of my career as an official court reporter for the 241st District Court of Smith County, Texas.  A flood of emotion and memories dwell hidden beneath the facade of this cool, poker faced, no emotion court reporter.  So many hearings, words, secrets, confessions, trials, pleas, settlements, verdicts, hung juries, truths, lies, travesties, joys, death, life, exonerations, convictions, happiness, sadness, and many, many other feelings tied up and sealed deep in the vault of my memories.  I do confess there is an excitement of the unknown future as well as fear.  I hope to be remembered as serving the citizens of Smith County with professionalism and compassion for any and all that appeared in court as either a litigant, spectator, defendant, prosecutor, juror or any number of other titled participants in the judicial system.  I know I have made mistakes.  I ask for forgiveness.  God help us all in the judicial system of this great country.  All of you who are without sin, cast the first stone.  If I have performed in excellence, please praise me.  If I have helped you, thank me.  If I have given, I do not require repayment.  If I have blessed you with a kind word, repay me with the same.  If I have made an impact or helped you in any way, it is an awesome compliment for me.