Thanks to my many clients who trusted and depended upon me to handle their legal problems.   Thanks also to Wiggins, Childs, Quinn & Pantazis, LLC for their support and for the many friends there.

Many people have helped me in so many ways.  This includes both working on cases and church ministry.  Thank you and may God bless you.

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We have a tendency to forget the reason for a holiday when we have a long holiday weekend. Memorial Day is a time for us to remember the sacrifice made for our freedom by those who died serving our country. Don’t forget the sacrifice was also felt by that person’s entire family. They weren’t there for those special family days. They weren’t there as a parent to help lead their child into adulthood. Holidays were never the same.

The sad fact is that most often those who have died, drop from our collective conscience. Men and women gave their lives during World Wars and undeclared wars to serve our country. Have you forgotten those who sacrificed for you? Memorial Day is a time to stop and remember that the benefits of our country came at a terrible price paid by someone other than you.

Let us now praise famous men,
And our fathers in their generations.
The Lord apportioned to them great glory,
his majesty from the beginning.
There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,
and were men renowned for their power,
giving counsel by their understanding,
and proclaiming prophecies;
leaders of the people in their deliberations
and in understanding of learning for the people,
wise in their words of instruction;
those who composed musical tunes,
and set forth verses in writing;
rich men furnished with resources,
living peaceably in their habitations –
all these were honored in their generations,
and were the glory of their times.

There are some of them who have left a name,
So that men declare their praise.
And there are some who have no memorial,
who have perished as though they had not lived;
they have become as though they had not been born,
and so have their children after them.

But these were men of mercy,
Whose righteous deeds have not been forgotten.
Their posterity will continue for ever,
and their glory will not be blotted out.
Their bodies were buried in peace,
and their name lives to all generations.

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-10,13-14

Have a safe holiday and do drive carefully.

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What I also saw was everyone working together trying to be patient and to help each other.    We spoke with a man in the parking lot at Publix in Hueytown.  His  sister was killed.  He was still in shock.   I saw linemen working to put up power lines and people at a church working to repair its roof.  Disaster relief volunteers were working to provide food and water to people.  The traffic moved slowly.  It was also hard to take in just the amount of destruction that had taken place in such a short amount of time.

People of faith across Alabama prayed today for the victims  and their families.  Many have a lot to be thankful for – that they and their loved ones are safe.  Others will be struggling to try to put their lives back together.  However, in some cases, fatalities forever change life as they knew it.   Community Grief Support Service, a free service, is available to help.  I serve on the Board of Directors.  The organization is committed to helping those who will travel this journey of grief.  We have had a terrible tragedy in Alabama.

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Image via Wikipedia

Today, it’s a rainy, dark dreary day.  Just because you can see someone else when you are driving, don’t assume they can see you! WHEN IT RAINS, DRIVE WITH YOUR LIGHTS ON!

Look in this photograph, it’s hard to see the oncoming car, even though they do have their lights on.  Think about how much harder it is to see them it they (or you) don’t have the lights on.  This was reinforced to me today when I saw mothers who had dropped off their children at a day school for preschoolers.  They were driving down a narrow street and most of them did not have their lights on after dropping off their kids. We both know that a good mother will do anything for the safety of their children.  Taking care to have their lights on when it rains protects both their children and themselves from being in an accident.

Also, when getting ready to go out into traffic look twice, before going out into traffic.  Someone else who is driving without their lights on may be just about to drive in front of you.  If you are looking for drivers who don’t have their lights on, you are more likely to see them.  If you aren’t looking for them, then they may not register in your brain.   When there is bad weather take extra care.  Please drive with your lights on.

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(Jeff Hamilton of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra is playing the drums on this Diane Krall version of “Let It Snow.” Jeff and I grew up in the same town and we both played in the High School Band. Obviously, Jeff is a far better musician and I’m a big fan of him.)

Okay, enjoy the music! We’ve had snow Thursday of this week and even just a bit today that did not accumulate. So, careful driving or no driving is the smart thing to do here in Alabama when we’ve got snow!

Yesterday, I drove to Tuscaloosa for mediation. The snow covered icy roads had melted during the night in the rain. Before then, I stayed off the roads. The case involved a drunk driver who hit my client at about 90 mph from the rear. My client had just started moving after the stop light turned green. Unfortunately, one passenger was killed in the wreck.

The driver had the minimum amount of insurance, not enough to even pay the hospital bills. Check you insurance policy and raise the amount of coverage that you have. (I cover this in detail in my book. I’ll send you a complimentary copy.) Also make sure that you have uninsured /underinsured coverage. Tragedy can strike in a moment. For your protection and the protection of others you need insurance coverage that will cover the amount of damage that can be caused by a wreck. No one is smiling when someone has died in a wreck and others seriously injured. Being responsible means having adequate insurance coverage. Being responsible also means not driving when there is snow in Alabama. Instead stay home and remember to “Let It Snow.”

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We have had snow this Christmas.  That was followed by warm weather.  Sunday it may snow.  Changing weather means changing conditions.  Now is a good time before it gets colder again to check your tire pressure and your fluid levels in your vehicle.  Changing weather can cause a tire to lose pressure by it leaking.

Another thing to be careful about is carbon monoxide poisoning.  If you have a bad exhaust system, one that leaks, you need to immediately get it fixed.  People don’t smell carbon monoxide.  Up north where they have more snow, sometimes, people when stuck in the snow will run their engines to stay warm and not realize that they are poisoning themselves to death – quite literally!

Check your equipment before we have more changing weather conditions.  With good clear weather, it’s the perfect time before we have changing weather conditions.

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Over the holidays we enjoy seeing family and friends.  Also, children get new toys.  Ralphie, in A Christmas Story, wanted a Red Ryder BB Gun.  Everyone told him, he would shoot his eye out.  The irony is that after he got his BB Gun, he almost did shoot his eye out!

Many children get new toys and parents need to be sure that they will safely use them.  Children have a tendency to find the weak point when it comes to safe operation of things.  So, do teenagers whom I have written about concerning driving safety.  Remember also that this time of the year when it gets dark early that it’s hard to see and there is driver fatigue.

I hope that you have a Merry Christmas and remember the celebration is the birth of Jesus, Savior of the world.  Have a safe holiday.

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Not long ago the newspaper listed four tragic accidents of young people.  Sorry if I sound like a broken record – Drive Safely.  No, you can’t reverse things like you could the old Beatles Album where people played it backwards.  So, take precautions when driving.  To drive defensively, prepare for the unexpected.  In this holiday time period when everyone is out shopping, they have their minds on other things and just may not see you!  You and they are not on each others shopping lists, so if driving focus on what you are doing and pay attention.  Remember Santa knows if you have been a naughty or a nice driver.

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It’s getting darker earlier each day and also it’s dark until later in the morning. That means it’s harder to see. The photo here is quite beautiful.  We don’t normally have snow in Alabama.  We do have rain (something we haven’t had much of lately) and darkness.   You will need to be extra careful during this changing of the seasons.  If you are a pedestrian or a driver, don’t assume the driver has seen you!

It’s during this time of year and especially when we have the time change that there is a rise in accidents. So, remember that it’s getting harder to see and take precautions, both as a driver and as a pedestrian.

Remember, it’s more fun to watch football when you aren’t the injured one!  Roll Tide!

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