It’s May. Less than two months before what was supposed to be our 2020 NCBC Annual Conference; just 25 miles away from my home; with my court serving as the host court for the first time. To say that I am a little bit disappointed that we won’t be welcoming you to Anaheim in July is a bit of an understatement. In a conversation with one of our Board members, we reflected together on the group photo we took in front of our conference hotel at the Mid-Year Board Meeting in January, smiling and oblivious of what was to come in just a few short months.
What has transpired over the past few months has exceeded most of our wildest imaginations. In mid-February, I flew off to Europe to celebrate the completion of another trip around the sun. As I took in the sights, sounds and flavors of London, Venice, Rome, and Paris, tides were beginning to turn, and the bits and pieces of news that I could see and hear on TV and in news publications, although in different languages, were beginning to look and sound increasingly daunting as previously unfamiliar terminology about viruses, pandemics, PPE, and others began to make its sear its way into our collective vocabularies. Fortunately, my fellow travelers and I made it back home just in time before travel restrictions would have made traveling back home exponentially more difficult. As the situation continued to escalate domestically, and as immediate plans for travel and simple pleasures such as dining out and gathering with friends and family were put on hold, and, eventually, federal buildings and courthouses began to close to the public, my thoughts never strayed too far from the upcoming conference—all the work and effort that had been put into planning it, and all of the hope and expectations that came with experiencing it as a member of the host court for the first time. As a member of California Central’s Planning Committee for this year’s conference, it was amazing to see how much hard work, effort, enthusiasm, and passion was put into ensuring that the conference would be a positive experience for everyone involved.
Even though we won’t be seeing each other in Anaheim in July, the show must go on! The wheels of justice must keep turning and it is up to us to keep doing our best to ensure that the mission and the vision of the courts continue to be fulfilled. Even though most of us are working in different environments than we’re used to, in spaces that look, feel, and sound different, our purpose and the meaning behind the work that we do on a daily basis remains the same. Although our annual reunion will be delayed by just a little bit, I already look forward to seeing you next year, and hearing how you and yours have overcome this and have emerged from this experience in an even better place. Until then, please be safe, be healthy, and we will see each other soon!
What has transpired over the past few months has exceeded most of our wildest imaginations. In mid-February, I flew off to Europe to celebrate the completion of another trip around the sun. As I took in the sights, sounds and flavors of London, Venice, Rome, and Paris, tides were beginning to turn, and the bits and pieces of news that I could see and hear on TV and in news publications, although in different languages, were beginning to look and sound increasingly daunting as previously unfamiliar terminology about viruses, pandemics, PPE, and others began to make its sear its way into our collective vocabularies. Fortunately, my fellow travelers and I made it back home just in time before travel restrictions would have made traveling back home exponentially more difficult. As the situation continued to escalate domestically, and as immediate plans for travel and simple pleasures such as dining out and gathering with friends and family were put on hold, and, eventually, federal buildings and courthouses began to close to the public, my thoughts never strayed too far from the upcoming conference—all the work and effort that had been put into planning it, and all of the hope and expectations that came with experiencing it as a member of the host court for the first time. As a member of California Central’s Planning Committee for this year’s conference, it was amazing to see how much hard work, effort, enthusiasm, and passion was put into ensuring that the conference would be a positive experience for everyone involved.
Even though we won’t be seeing each other in Anaheim in July, the show must go on! The wheels of justice must keep turning and it is up to us to keep doing our best to ensure that the mission and the vision of the courts continue to be fulfilled. Even though most of us are working in different environments than we’re used to, in spaces that look, feel, and sound different, our purpose and the meaning behind the work that we do on a daily basis remains the same. Although our annual reunion will be delayed by just a little bit, I already look forward to seeing you next year, and hearing how you and yours have overcome this and have emerged from this experience in an even better place. Until then, please be safe, be healthy, and we will see each other soon!