Category Archives: family

family

A new era…

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This week began a new era for me, my family, and most likely my law practice.

My father, after more than four decades of journalism and 36 years with The Denver Post, retired this past Friday.

He intends to play with his grandchildren and enjoy his first Christmas break in my entire life. I am looking forward to having him with me and the kids as we decorate trees, shop for little gifts, bake cookies, and play in the snow. I am so pleased that I can share this holiday with him, it is the best gift I could ask for.

Next year, he will likely be joining my practice. He may go to law school, he may focus instead on mediation. We are still working out the details. He is going to manage my legal blog, and continue to break down complex legal concepts and legislation for those who wish to read it. I am excited to have such a great person to work with as I follow this often isolating path.

I am proud of his illustrious career in Colorado politics, but I am most proud of his dreams. At 63, his dreams are still going strong. He has worked his whole life, with long days and under stressful conditions, because he had a family to support and other people’s dreams to build. Now, he can work for himself. He gets to do what he wants, on his schedule, on his terms.

My father has supported my dreams for 33 years. He has helped me do everything I have ever wanted to do. Now, finally, I can return the favor.

I love you Dad, you have always been, and will always be, my Hero.

family, holidays

Daddy(ies)

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To the man who always stood by me through all my poor choices and heartbreak. The man who made my fear of his sneezes into a game, and used to take me in Beowulf to raise hell.

Thank you for teaching me to howl at the moon, for showing me that good fights are always worth fighting, and that sometimes just a little bit of kindness can change a person’s life.

Thank you for getting me ballet shoes when I wanted to dance, singing lessons when I wanted to sing, and acting lessons when I wanted to act. Thank you for teaching me how to play chess, and putting up with me when I made up my own rules.

Thank you for always believing in my dreams, no matter how challenging or far fetched they seemed at the time. Your faith in me kept me going when nothing else could. It never occurred to me to doubt my abilities because you always believed in them.

You have been a wonderful father, and the best friend I could ask for. There is nothing more I could have wanted. You taught me what to look for in my partner, so my own children could have a wonderful father too. I have always known how lucky I am to have you, and I continue to know it.

Thank you so much for all your years of care and comfort. I can’t wait to get home to you and back to our regularly scheduled coffees.

You took fatherhood like a duck to water. Our kids adore you. You are kind, generous, silly, and loving.

I will never forget how willingly you entered into parenting. You read “Secrets of the Baby Whisperer” and “Parenting with Love and Logic”. You developed strategies and techniques for us to use in raising smart and happy children. You were an active participant in our family from day one, and you have been fully involved ever since.

There are moments that I witness, little vignettes out of time, that I think on when someone asks me if you are a good father;

You and Otter snuggled up watching NOVA together.

You and Monkey sharing in Dirty Jobs and Good Eats.

You and Monkey playing chase at the playground.

You throwing Otter up in the air and saying “Hello sir.” when he comes over to see you.

I am proud to be your wife and thrilled that we decided to do this together. I could not find a better partner, and I am so happy that I get to live my life with you. I love you so much honey. Happy Father’s Day.

family, Otter

Why I won’t put my client on the stand.

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Here it is, the mating call of the Mississippi Gopher Frog!

It’s been likened to a revving motorcycle or a jackhammer. It is not the sexiest sound I have ever heard, but then again, I am not a Mississippi Gopher Frog. I am sure this particular specimen sounds quite charming to all those lady frogs out there.

Colorado is fun, we went to Hatchet’s baby shower today and got to reconnect with many old friends. There were a crush of people there, and Otter was a little unhappy about all the noise. He is so different from his sister. She always loved a crowd, but my little man prefers a quite, dim, air-conditioned room with a soft place to sit and a boob nearby. He was pretty high maintenance during the party as a result, so I am tired now, and I have that “feel the burn” sensation in my arms from carrying my big fella around and helping him sit and stand.

I am relaxing a bit now, sipping high quality wine and trying to let the muscles in my neck, shoulders, and back un-knot.

Mom’s party is tomorrow, and Aunty Mop and I spent the day shopping for much needed party supplies, and two-ply toilet paper, because for some unknown and completely irrational reason my mother bought one-ply last time she went shopping. Shudder (I can’t abide one-ply toilet paper, it always makes me feel as though I am wiping with a shopping list, or a receipt, or many of the other desperate alternatives a woman may consider when stuck in a public restroom sans t.p.)

I am looking forward to the party, though it will mean another day of Otter being surrounded by too many people. This time though, our room can be a quite resource. He and I can sneak off for a good long nurse as often as he would like.