Wild Ideas

[craesz]

Where to begin.

First, most attorneys are self-centered, egotistical, greedy shitheads. L.A. (although we never spoke directly about it) had alcohol problems at one time and (I presume related) a son that predeceased him. I first met L.A. when our building burned. When nothing (and I mean nothing) was left, we had to open our offices somewhere. Unfortunately, there were limited buildings that could house a firm of our size. One of those buildings was the First State Bank. Lucky for us, another firm vacated space in the First State Bank about one month prior to the fire. That left office space (as it was) on the floor directly below L.A. The firm moved in and phones were rerouted. Other than having a place to sit (on borrowed chairs) and having two phones on opposite ends of the floor, we really had no way to work. L.A. and his officemate (James Horton), provided us with pens, paper, legal pads, access to their offices and general use of their facilities. This included a key for after hours access (which I made use of quite a bit as a young lawyer). Since that time, I spent more and more time with L.A.

In 1996, I was downsized. Nice. Had a family to support and no way to do so. L.A. helped, of course. L.A. was not really practicing hard and heavy, but he made himself available to me for all sorts of issues. In time this was a two way street. Since 1996, unless I was extremely busy in court, I visited with L.A. and his staff on a weekly basis. Oftentimes, due to my background in computers, L.A. would request my assistance in researching issues. I gladly accepted each of these tasks and we would talk at length about solutions for him and the application of the law. I really didn't pry into whether I was helpful, but he kept asking for help so I presume I was not too far off base. In this later period, I would receive calls from Teresa (one of the finest people you could know and his assistant for years) requesting a visit. As soon as possible, I would comply. Lately, we spoke more and more about my practice. L.A. always offered, what I considered to be, very good advice. He was attentive, helpful, supportive and truly cared about me.

I took pleasure in informing him of the events at the courthouse and in my life. I was distressed about his physical problems, but he really didn't seem concerned. He was always like that. I will go to my grave believing that he could have been staring straight into the face of ultimate doom and, if you asked him how he was doing, he would tell you he couldn't be better. I knew we were in trouble when I went to check on him after his latest back treatment and his office was dark. In all my years of knowing him, that had never happened. This upset me quite a bit. The last time I saw him in the office I helped him navigate the bathroom situation twice. Strange thing to be fond of, but I guess it allowed me to help someone that was a true gentleman and a man of the sort that I envisioned all lawyers would be like. Lately, he was very concerned about the squirrel problem at my office. When I spoke to him last at his home, I was pleased to inform him that at least one of the squirrel problems had been permanently solved. You should have seen his face. Some day, when I grow up, I want to be able to be that expressive with my face. I tried to visit him more, but he was so loved and admired that each time I arrived I was informed that he was simply worn out from all the visiting he had done earlier. [L.A., I did try to see you more. I just thought that you needed to be able to spend your last days with family.] L.A. and I always had a great time. I will always remember him as one of the best people I have come across on this planet.

I simply can not express how much I will miss him.