There are many changes at work recently- an experienced paralegal (who guided me through a lot of the stuff I am still learning to do) is gone; one of the attorneys at my office is moving to Arizona which is going to open the door for me to add more criminal defense to my practice (something I enjoy and is important to me), but that is going to be on top of the cases I already have. In true Type A form, I will rise to the occasion. But, it's all sort of daunting.
Bizarrely, also have become preoccupied (obsessed?) with a horrible and devastating and sickening child abuse case in L.A. I stumbled across it in reading some NYT online headlines last week and have since not been able to get it out of my mind. It's not that news stories of kids getting abused didn't used to bother me, but I think that since becoming a parent, I have become much more sensitive to this stuff. I cannot get this poor little boy and this tragic, sickening story out of my head. Some examples: I am following the court appearances of his mother and her friends on the LA County Jail website. (Bail is set at $1,100,000. Not reasonable? Good.) I e-mailed Tom at MySpace and demanded that he disassemble the MySpace pages of these people. (So far, the page is still there.)
I realize my reaction is kind of insane, and I'm not entirely sure how to account for it. I think it's my feeling of utter helplessness. I feel angry and sad that I can't help that little kid; that I can't make it all better. All I can do is love my own little boy (which I do, big time, of course). And email Tom at MySpace, apparently. Uggh. (Note to self: Do not accept any child abuse cases in your expanding criminal defense practice. Zealous advocacy? I think not.)
Finally, and much less freakishly, I am constantly searching for the perfect salad, and last night I found a contender: mixed spring greens; candied pecans; warm goat cheese; and a slightly spicy-citrusy vinaigrette. Delish.
2 comments:
As soon as Inga was born, I developed the same obession with any news involving injured children. I considered getting rid of the NYT, but then realized that I would just read it online- where my eyes quickly get drawn to anything involving hurt children. I don't know what to do about my pent-up anger on behalf of hurt kids either...although I never thought of emailing Tom...
Kristina,
You are not insane, you are normal. Becoming a parent makes one feel more for the children of the world who are neglected and abused. A few years ago we were watching a movie - I think it was called "Interview with a vampire". Tom Cruise was in it. Anyway - the sexual undertones toward the little girl in the movie made me feel physically sick. I couldn't watch it and turned it off. By refusing to take child abuse cases in your law practice you ARE doing something. Good for you!
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