I have been working on holding my tongue, in an attempt to not verbalize criticism and judgments. I've got a long way to go. I really need to work on not having the critical thoughts in the first place, but this is a lengthy growing process for me.
Recently, I've been shown a new side to some of the stereotypes I maintain.
So, I think it is time I issue the compliments that are due.
Starting with jury duty and the courthouse, let me say that I am pleasantly surprised by the compassion I was shown last month. I have been summoned to grand jury duty for 3 full months, which officially completed on March 31st. The juror coordinator really did keep her word and attempted to work with our schedules so that being called to jury duty was not as big of a burden as anticipated. Jury duty summons certainly has a bad reputation. I see that the courthouse staff really are working to improve that reputation.
My number was picked to report for the alternate panel on a Monday in the middle of March. It happened to be the week right after The Referee was placed on furlough....the week that he ended up working. He did not have the flexibility to take a day off to watch the kids so that I could report for jury duty. So, I emailed the juror coordinator with my apology about not being able to report that day.
She gave me the kindest response. She told me that since I had already been called in 3 times, and I had volunteered to stay twice, that in light of the current challenges in my life, she would simply consider my jury duty obligation complete! I was so surprised. And relieved. What a blessing to have that responsibility lifted from me at such a stressful time in my life. It was a treat to receive compassion from the courthouse.
My second confession-based compliment is for the medical insurance company. I griped about their business practice of having to pre-authorize treatment, and essentially holding the right to deny treatment. Today, I received word that they have pre-authorized treatment for Jersey #2 to travel to California for heart surgery. It was a very simple, straight-forward process, and the authorization was given readily. In the end, my stereotype of the "heartless" insurance business proved untrue. They certainly seem to have enough "heart" to be willing to pay the medical expenses to fix Jersey #2's heart. For that, I am very grateful.
Recently, I've been shown a new side to some of the stereotypes I maintain.
So, I think it is time I issue the compliments that are due.
Starting with jury duty and the courthouse, let me say that I am pleasantly surprised by the compassion I was shown last month. I have been summoned to grand jury duty for 3 full months, which officially completed on March 31st. The juror coordinator really did keep her word and attempted to work with our schedules so that being called to jury duty was not as big of a burden as anticipated. Jury duty summons certainly has a bad reputation. I see that the courthouse staff really are working to improve that reputation.
My number was picked to report for the alternate panel on a Monday in the middle of March. It happened to be the week right after The Referee was placed on furlough....the week that he ended up working. He did not have the flexibility to take a day off to watch the kids so that I could report for jury duty. So, I emailed the juror coordinator with my apology about not being able to report that day.
She gave me the kindest response. She told me that since I had already been called in 3 times, and I had volunteered to stay twice, that in light of the current challenges in my life, she would simply consider my jury duty obligation complete! I was so surprised. And relieved. What a blessing to have that responsibility lifted from me at such a stressful time in my life. It was a treat to receive compassion from the courthouse.
My second confession-based compliment is for the medical insurance company. I griped about their business practice of having to pre-authorize treatment, and essentially holding the right to deny treatment. Today, I received word that they have pre-authorized treatment for Jersey #2 to travel to California for heart surgery. It was a very simple, straight-forward process, and the authorization was given readily. In the end, my stereotype of the "heartless" insurance business proved untrue. They certainly seem to have enough "heart" to be willing to pay the medical expenses to fix Jersey #2's heart. For that, I am very grateful.
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