Authentically Adele

Not having to run for my trains made my morning less stressful. It’s day two and this time round I packed my travel mug and my sandwich and plenty of little snacks.
And so the waiting continues… This time I found the ability to focus and so I managed to edit a chapter of my next novel…. And then guess what…. My name got called out!!! Yes I was chosen for the first part and then still had to wait for a second random selection…

This was going to be done after lunch! I was actually hoping not to get selected… For some reason I just wanted to go back to the normal life, I realised how much comfort I found in my daily routine and now with jury service everything has changed…. Longer days than my usual work hours…. Early starts and late finishes… Miss one train and you have to wait for another 20 mins or so… Yet still catching the train was better than the added stress and pressure of driving and finding parking…..

Lunch was over and we were called in… I was walking alongside 11 others…. I felt like I was the one being tried. My heart is racing, palms are getting sweaty… Why am I the one that’s nervous… I’m here to listen and carefully judge the case this is all part of my civic duty….. And that’s when the Christian  side of things hit me hard- “judge not and you will not be judged, condemn not and you will not be condemned!” Oh my word… Really… Adele, just sit down and listen carefully… Wrong scripture to meditate on don’t you think…. Lord, you’re my ever-present help in time of need….

The courtroom wasn’t set up like the ones you had seen on tv.. and here I was thinking about all my courtroom drama experiences from those shows would have helped. The judge spoke and introduced the plaintiff and defendant…. He told us what was expected of us and how to go about this trial. I sat focused with a notebook and pen and a large folder of evidence and key facts all relating to this case… I sat and listened to what the case was about… Tomorrow it all continues…

I got home and my children asked if I judged anyone today… No children that’s not how it works… Ok then, did the judge use his hammer? His hammer? I questioned…. Oh it’s called a gavel and no I didn’t see one.

Tomorrow  is a new day.