On the way to the gym at lunch, I actually listened to the words of Tupac’s “Dear Mama.” It is an amazingly touching song.
It’s a struggle everyday, gotta roll on
And there’s no way I can pay you back
But my plan is to show you that I understand
You are appreciated

It really is nice to be appreciated, and sometimes the best thing to receive is a small gesture saying “I acknowledge what you’ve done, and I appreciate who you are.”

1.) I had to be a buffer in a power play between an irrate party and another party yesterday. The other party was accomodating, and then softened his tone and said in a very off-the-record way, “It must be hard for you sometimes. I just want you to know you’re doing a good job.” Coulda’ brought me to tears, man. *sniff*

2.) We took jury verdicts on our sexual battery trial an hour ago. My bailiff just handed me a pink envelope, which he discovered on the floor. The front says “Madam Clerk for Dept. E”. Inside is a cute little thank-you card, in which a juror had written
To: Maddam Clerk of Dept. E October 2005
First of all, I just wnated to say thank you so much for making my first jury experience such a fun and exciting one. Thank you so much for lightening up the mood of everything. Thanks for easing the stress and nerves of the whole experience. I think it’s so cool how you ease the mood, and I know I’m not the only one who’s thankful for that. Good luck with your profession and all future cases. Thanks again.
Sincerely,…

I go out there and do a whole song and dance with my orientation to the jurors; I know most other clerks never interact with jurors, but I like to make sure they know what’s going on and I crack my jokes with them here and there to get them laughing. I think it’s important that they’re laughing in the hallway instead of griping and contaminating other jurors with their gripes. It’s nice to know that’s appreciated. =)