I only saw him about twice in the last two hours. We hadn't even made eye contact. It was strange but suddenly we were connected, in the same group, and both felt like celebrating. He said, as he drove by my truck, "Congratulations!" I said the same. We had both been at the Court House in Oakland answering our call to the patriotic duty of answering a jury summons.
The process was interesting, finding a place to park, making our way through the labryinth below the court house, passing through security and finally into the Jury Assembly room. The first names were called at about 9:30 am. I realized as the names were called they were going down the alphabet and then they just passed over the Mc's, a breathed a sigh of relief.
The announcer said she would be making another call of names in another fifteen minutes, "So hang in there."
As she started the second list I remembered Mc does not always come in the same place in the alphabet. Some people put it before the M's others wait until after the Mac's. As I listened and she got closer I listened more carefully and wasn't disappointed for she called,quite clearly, "Randall McGrady-Beach." Yes I was on that list.
When she got to the end she asked if anyone there hadn't had their name called. No one answered. We were all in the same boat.
We were told to come up to the desk. Slowly we moved toward our assignment. Once there she said, "It is not that bad. You guys can smile, it is okay." Then she said those sweet words. "You can all go home, you are exempt for another twelve months."
We weren't going to serve this time. The long faces broke into grins. People talked to each other and what had been a morose assembly turned into a celebration.
I have served on a jury before and it was a good experience. I wouldn't mind serving again, but the relief to know I wouldn't have to rearrange my schedule was great.
I was in the parking garage before my fellow potential juror, just driving by said congratulations. It was amazing that a group of people who didn't know each other suddenly were like best buddies.
Perhaps that is how we all need to be with others. Maybe we shouldn't have to go through a stressful event or long wait. We need to celebrate life without duty more often.
I will miss the comraderie that comes with completing a task together, like our mission trip, but for now I am glad to celebrate not having to serve, this time.
Hurrah!
Pastor Randy
