Momma's Boy
IV. Strangers with so much in common
Last November was perhaps the most challenging month of my life. This series is why, although it led to to a cascade of pressures. One of course was work, as I am self-employed and was spending night in an ICU and morning routines at a rehab facility.
There was an opposing counsel on one of my cases who I didn't know at all. I had been slow getting him some things and so I played the personal card which I tried not to do often. He was very understanding and professionally courteous.
One Friday, I had swung by my office to check mail and grab checks, etc. I saw a card from out of state, which was unusual. I opened it up and it was a short hand-written note from that man; that attorney from out of state who was helping try and settle a litigation matter. The message short but incredibly impactful. He had taken a moment to simply offer me his support; condolences, I guess. Man to man. He had done that in ink.
I was coming off such a brutal week that I just kind of slunk into my chair and sat with that for a minute. I pictured this guy (face unknown) taking the time during a business day to find a card, write me a message, do whatever needs to be done to have it mailed. It was a big firm, but that kind of cuts both ways. Sure, the logistics of the mail was easier; but his day is valuable and scheduled stretched-thin.
It was incredibly meaningful. It felt like he had reached out hugged me. And fuck man, I needed that hug at that moment. I was very alone in that after-hours moment in my office. I didn't think tons of the meaning beyond what an incredible reflection it was of this man. I never thought of him the same. What did it take investment-wise for him to do that? 10 minutes? The magnitude comes from the mere fact he would. Whether through personal tragedy or natural disaster, simple humanity has such healing power when humans are hurting and down.
What led to me to share this personal moment with a wider audience was the last page of this story (for now). Just last week, I interacted with this gentleman again after I returned from California. I had to tighten the debt collection vice-grip. Hey man, we're both just doing our jobs and this is how and why we know each other. But it's nice to do business with nice people. That's somewhat rare in law. It's quite rare in litigation. Exceedingly so within debt collection. So we did our thing and did it kind when he ended his final message with two short lines…
“By the way, how is your mom doing?”
… One hard return but a lifetime later…
“I lost mine at the beginning of June, so cherish the time.”
It explained the card. I sobbed when I read that. It all crashed down on me (again). I too will deliver wisdom from that end of the stick. Who knows when we're even talking. Man, I'm leaking again writing this. It overwhelms me when I sit with it. But I need to. I process through recap.
https://x.com/Theo_TJ_Jordan/status/2075920151858270505?s=20
Not all sad stories have a sad ending…
https://x.com/Theo_TJ_Jordan/status/2075932074540736546?s=20
