From the road God called me to travel, I offer Thanks

"I want you to get out there and walk -- better yet, run! -- on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. ... And mark that you do this with humility and discipline -- not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences." -- Ephesians 4:2-3, The Message​​

Wow, six months in and I'm still here! I set out to open my own law practice, with the goals of helping as many people as I was able and learning more about the law and myself along the way.

First and foremost, I thank God for this opportunity and for loving me always, and I thank the Holy Spirit for guiding me to this next step in my life.

I thank my mother, my father, and my sister for being so supportive. In my office I have two cards on my desk, one from my mother and one from my father and I read them from time to time for the love and inspiration that are there.

I give tremendous thanks to my wonderful wife and beautiful daughter for their love and support. As my wife jokes, she's my chief technology officer, having helped me to set-up my computer and other technology in my office. But she is and has been so much more than that. I couldn't have taken this step without her and for that I'm very grateful.

I thank my mentors, coaches and superiors over the years, most especially Richard. All of them have helped to shape who I am and have set such a great example of how to be a lawyer and help those with legal needs.

Which leads me to thank my clients, for whom this whole endeavor is dedicated. I find myself motivated by the strength and grit of this great city of Philadelphia, exemplified and personified in its people. To call myself a lawyer that my neighbors and fellow citizens come to and trust is an honor and privilege which will never get old.

I thank the Court and all the people in it, from the honorable judges to masters to clerks to interpreters to security to staff to fellow members of the bar and to every familiar face I see there on a nearly daily basis. Like the old television show Cheers, it feels good to go where everybody knows your name. And from the perspective of the legal profession itself, there are many there who provide a solid example of what it means and what it is to be an honorable leader in this field.

Finally, I thank all my friends, near and far, old and new, close and acquaintances, fellow lawyers and those in other walks of life. You've all played a part in my life and so inevitably I wouldn't be who I am today without everyone in it.

Many thanks to everyone for these first six months. Here's to the next six... and, God willing, beyond!!!