my week in summary

The trial is finally over. Today, we had closing statements - and then - we held our breath while the jury went to deliberate. Less than an hour later, the verdict was returned. It was a unanimous decision. Twelve to Zero. My side won.

After the jury read their verdict, each side had an opportunity to talk with the jurors to find out what compelled them to vote the way that they did. They all had their reasons, but ultimately, they were convinced that the facts of the case were so clear cut, it was easy to reach a decision.

All of the jurors agreed that the most exciting part of the trial was when I had to be cross-examined by the Plaintiff's attorney. Up until that point they thought that the trial was rather boring. But when I was on the stand, they said that watching the attorney tear in to me was like something from a movie. They all nodded in agreement that they were on the edge of their seats.

Oddly enough, my counsel specifically told me, before I took the stand, that it was highly unlikely that the Plaintiff's attorney would get ugly with me because I was a 'pretty young girl'. I'm not sure if they told me that to keep me from getting nervous, or because they really believed it. But man, those gloves came off fast when they had me in the witness box.

To the opposing counsel, I wasn't a pretty young girl. I was the environmental engineer for one of the world's largest oil companies (who they erroneously kept referring to as a gross contaminator of the environment) and all the troubles that his client were facing were because of me. They went after everything.

My character.

My experience.

My credibility.

During the interview this afternoon, one of the woman jurors just shook her head and said, "If anyone ever went after me like that, I would have been in tears. How did you maintain your composure?"

Although I didn't tell her this - as I was driving home from Los Angeles this afternoon, I couldn't help but think that being the mother of triplets has probably given me a tremendous amount of confidence in my ability.

I've got little people demanding things of me constantly. They are yelling at me and around me, all day long. Children are falling in toilets, smuggling bugs in to the house, ambushing my secret chocolate supply and challenging my EVERY decision. I've got to keep my eye on the prize and get my job done. Without crying. Without yelling. Without crashing like a house of cards. I need to maintain peace in the storm, while remaining honest - firm - confident - and calm under pressure.

I certainly never would have guessed that my role as a mother would have prepared me more for this trial than my almost 20-years of experience, education and professional registrations, combined.

I'm so glad it's over. So, so, so, so, so very glad.

(So. So very.)

******

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but Charlie and I lived together before we were married. In hindsight, I'm not sure that I would have done the same thing. But at the time, it seemed logical. We were completely in love - we spent every waking moment together - and we were college students paying for two rents.

Within my files, is the letter that my mother sent me in September of 1992. In that letter, among other things, my mother wrote that she was concerned and/or disappointed that we were living together before we were married. Her exact words were, "I do not like to see you enjoying the fruits of marriage without a license." She went on to write that she was afraid that, "if we weren't careful, we'd be hearing the pitter patter of little feet. And I don't mean mice."

Oh, how those words stung me when I was 21-years old.

But oh, how those words have made me laugh, ever since.

When my mom and Jim began spending time together a few years ago, and moved in together, shortly thereafter, I wrote a letter to my mother telling her that I hoped that she wasn't enjoying the fruits of marriage without a license and that they were being careful, because otherwise, they might soon hear the pitter patter of little feet. And I don't mean mice.

Charlie sent me a text message this morning, seconds before I stepped in to the courtroom. His message simply said, "CALL YOUR MOTHER IMMEDIATELY. Every thing is OK but you are going to FLIP OUT. As a hint: you and I did this on August 6, 1994."

Wha...

WHA...

WHAT?!

Our wedding anniversary is August 6. So all during the trial and closing arguments, I was totally distracted. But I was somehow able to hold it together and during our first break, I called my husband and learned that my mother and Jim eloped.

That's right: My mother and Jim got hitched.

They were married yesterday afternoon at Graceland - my Aunt Grace and Uncle Bill's home in South Carolina. My Aunt Grace, a Notary, officiated the ceremony. Here's a blog post, written by my cousin Lisa, that shows more of the pictures from this monumental day.


My mother is 76-years old. Jim is 86-years old. And they are in love.

I am thrilled that not only do they have each other, but they are now finally able to enjoy the fruits of marriage.

With a license.

******

Oh! I almost forgot ... last, but not least - how cool is this?

Why is it that the most humorous situations in my life, surround events occurring in or around the bathroom?

What? You think I'm kidding?

Just wait until I tell you about the birthday party our kids attended last weekend...