Today is the last day of the year here in the Trenches. I find that I am in a reflective mood. It's been a trying year, not least of which because of the economy. For most of the year, we have been suffering along with Curtis, our Office Testosterone, as he fights for his life against Lymphoma. Then, at the end of November, our little Erin left us after seven years. As Chrystal has been here almost since the beginning (twelve of our 13 years), it's fairly obvious that we're not big on change here. Sure, we update our technology, find new ways of improving our service to our clients, but when it comes to the guts of the Trenches, our people, we don't like change. So, change is a big thing, and not one we enjoy.
Our people are what make the Trenches different from other family law firms. We have been truly blessed (and I think our clients would agree) to have some of the best support staff any firm can have. Everyone who works here really cares what happens to our cllients; to us, it's not just a job, it's who we are. So, who are we?
First, there's Chrystal. I don't know what we would do if she decided to fire us. She's the first contact clients have with the office. She's always compassionate and caring. She listens attentively long past when most of our minds have started to wander. Her people instincts are right on, and I have ignored them to my detriment only a few times (even I can be taught). She has common sense in abundance. I think a lot of our clients love us for her (in fact, I think they love her more than me, as they should). That's all on top of being a top notch paralegal. Plus, she puts up with me, through dictating emails on the road, triaging emergencies on potty breaks in trial, sitting with the phone line open when the office is just too darn quiet or when I just need a sounding board. She's also the best friend I have in the world, bar none. We've been together through a lot, and she assures me the Trenches will be her client until she wins the lottery (and thankfully, she never buys a ticket).
Then, there's Erin, our Little Miss Sunshine. She started working in the Trenches when she was just 17. We've watched her grow and mature into the truly fine young woman she has become. Through high school and college, there was always a home for her in the Trenches whenever she had time to work. I remember her "deer in the headlights' look the first time someone asked her a question on the phone, when all she really felt comfortable doing was saying "Hello" and "Can you please hold?" When she left, she was doing a lot of the things paralegals do, plus clients grew to love talking to her on the phone (and a lot of time, she liked it too). Erin always has a smile in her voice, and on her face. She has a big heart, and opened it to embrace all of us in the Trenches as well as our clients. I still can't believe she's grown up and left us.
Last, but certainly not least, there's Curtis. He's the youngest member of the Trenches and our newest addition. He's also the first individual with high testosterone to work here. (You've read about his troubles and also his praises multiple times here.) He is our Zen master. Life is crazy for our clients here in the Trenches, and sometimes, the agitation is contagious. Curtis never gets agitated. He's always calm, cool and collected, and that's contagious too. You can feel your heartbeat slow when he's around. Life's a little less frantic, and his upbeat attitude also rubs off. He's a special guy (as well as a top notch "safe place" finder!). As you know, he is gravely ill and needs our positive thoughts.
As we end the year, the population of Trenches is reduced by half. We miss our Sunshine and Testosterone, as do our clients. We know, however, that they are never far away - geographically and in our hearts. Happy holidays
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