Vindication!!

Well, sort of! God is truly amazing and so is my lawyer, Ezra Jordan of the Jordan Law Firm.

The day of my court date to say I was nervous as hell is the understatement of the year. Many friends assured me that everything would be fine and I had prayed and prayed enough for the faith to believe them. But there was a small part of me that was afraid to get my hopes up. Ezra had told me how badly I had pissed the cop off (well, it’s only fair, since he pissed ME off badly as well!) and that worst case scenario he did know of people who were sentenced to up to a year in jail for the same charges!  Still, I had the fact that I was 43 years old and had never been in any kind of trouble on my side. I had the fact that I was slightly intoxicated on my side (believe it or not, that was a plus even if also a contributory factor) and that I also had a witness (even if the cop had two that would likely be on his side). So I honestly didn’t know what to think or expect.

And of course the entire morning had to start out terribly! Traffic was horrible and I just knew I’d be late and get a failure to appear charge on top of everything else. Becky, the paralegal had called to let me know that Ezra had divorce court that morning and that if I were called before he got there to just tell them that he was on his way. For whatever reason, that calmed me. I guess it let me know that things weren’t as formal as I was expecting.

Informal, indeed. There was no “call to order”, swearing in or anything like you see on television. And it was VERY crowded, especially given the small size of the courtroom. When I arrived there was nowhere to sit and a few of us were left standing. That is when the bailiff made the announcement that anyone there not appearing personally before the judge was to leave and make room because there was no standing allowed in the courtroom. Hardly anyone moved at first until he informed them that he would call roll and anyone not supposed to be there would soon have a reason to be! Then about half the crowd move outside the courtroom. This made me more nervous because I knew Dede wouldn’t be able to sit next to me and hold my hand and I SO needed her to! But she stayed right outside the door so I could see her and somehow just knowing she was near made me calmer.

Then inmates were brought in and seated in a separate place from everyone else. And the Judge Ross came in and though no one told us to, we all stood as she took her seat on the bench. She was very beautiful and I got a sense from her, even though she never spoke to me or even looked in my direction, that everything was going to be okay. Maybe it was because Ezra had already told me that he knew her well and that she was very fair. I guess I just didn’t accept it until I saw her for myself. But little by little, God gave me small assurances (Dede being there, Judge Ross’ appearance, etc.) that everything would be fine and I started to relax a little.

They had a few bond hearings and the D.A.’s assistant called a few people to find out if they needed a public defender or had retained representation. Then I saw Ezra walk in and wave at me. He spoke briefly with the D.A. and then motioned for me to follow him outside but waited until we got downstairs and away from so many crowds before he told me the news:  I was to come back to court February 17 to appear before Judge Ross but the D.A. had agreed to accept 16 hours of community service and then dismiss both charges! I was elated! I expected to have to go to some anger management classes or something, which I was fully prepared to do. But community service? I already do four hours a month of that through Church of the Highlands just to serve the Lord! Easy, peasy! All I have to do in the meantime is keep my job, stay out of trouble and when the court date arrives, be humble! The cop may or may not show up. But if he does, I have to come in humbly and apologetic, not angry like “You da motha fucka that ruined my life!” (Ezra’s words, not mine! But you see why I love him?)

Now I KNOW God is truly in control and that no matter what He DOES want to prosper me, that He has great plans for me! I will NOT take it for granted. I will NOT waste this opportunity to make my life—and the lives of those around me—better than ever! And I’m already well on my way. I’m focusing on my kids, seeing a new therapist, reading a LOT (especially now that classes for graduate school have started) and involved myself in several projects (redecorating my townhouse—on a budget of course, crafting, writing a book, planning trips, and resuming my fitness regimen just to name a few) and I continue to pray and worship every day.

As of this writing, I am 43 days sober and will continue to be until at least my court date of February 17 and will not go on any romantic dates until after the New Year.

I am working on letting go of my anger about so many things. Sometimes I have to make the choice daily to forgive—my ex, the cop and especially myself. But I do know that to her who shows mercy, much mercy is shown. And I have been shown MUCH mercy!