January 13, 2010 ~ What My Eyes Have Seen
On the day that I was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer in the spring of 2008, there were things that I silently prayed I would live to see. Since that day, I’ve seen many, many things that have been so marvelous, I didn’t even know to pray for them. I’ve seen babies born into our family, weddings that united the lives of couples that I love, people dear to me who have come into the family of God by the miracle of salvation, and the embrace of new friends who reached beyond the contentment of their own comfortable lives to embrace the messiness of mine. Each of these, and many others, fill me with gratitude for how that prayer has been answered so fully, so beautifully.
On Friday, one of the specific prayers that I prayed was answered – I wanted to see our oldest son, Johnny, sworn in as an attorney. Back then, I feared that my diagnosis would draw him off-track from his own goal of finishing law school. It’s a tough thing, having a mom so sick. I have recently learned just how difficult it is because my own mother is so very ill and I, who am much older and more experienced in life, am sometimes filled with overwhelming worry and sadness. At the time, we told him to stay with it, let John and me fight this battle with cancer, and know that we wanted him to never abandon his goal of becoming an attorney. I told him that I wanted to see him pass the bar, be sworn in, and try his first case.
Friday evening, our family joined Johnny in the courtroom of Judge Davidson, a wonderful man who Johnny was privileged to intern for while he was in law school. All the while that Johnny worked for him, Judge Davidson had said he would like to be the one to swear him in when the time came. Now the day had arrived, and amidst the wood paneled walls and gleaming granite surfaces, the judge graciously educated us about the history and lore of what it means to “pass the bar.” He invited Johnny to the inner sanctum of the courtroom and my son lifted his right hand and took the oath to support the constitutions of the United States and Texas, to honestly demean himself in the practice of law, and to discharge his duty as an attorney to his client to the best of the his ability.
I was spellbound by the gravity of the moment. That very moment was one I had asked God for – to see my son sworn in and confirmed in the achievement of his goal. It was heavy with emotion and sentiment in my own heart. What a blessing it was! The achievement was all his, but that moment – that special moment – well, it was mine too.
What a proud moment!
That is such a HUGE blessing…..Im so excited for Johnny, and the rest of the family….I deffinately apprieciate the work of an attorney…Love you aunt Lori…