I Do Hearby Solemnly Swear...

Photo by zzpza

Pues, you know what they say about "the best laid schemes plans of mice and men," no? Today we didn't have school porque me toco Jury Duty. I wasn't chosen for the grand jury. (Phew! A 12 month service!) But before they could choose jurors for smaller trials, they decided to dismiss us until later in the week because of the bad weather headed our way.

I actually learned some interesting stuff about our judicial system. I was one of those annoying people who sit and listen carefully to the video they show everyone about how the system works and what is expected of a juror. Sigh. "You know you're a homeschooling mami when..." you can't just complain about Jury Duty like the rest of the country does.

Instead, you sit in the courtroom and think hard about the rights and privileges we have in this country and how important it is to talk about democracy and fairness, and being judged by a jury of our peers, to your children. You look around and think about how important it is to be present in your child's life, to take an active role, so that your niños don't end up on the wrong side of the aisle in the courtroom.

You think about how important a person's life is, and the pressure to make the right decision so that someone who is innocent is not wrongfully sentenced - and so that someone who is guilty is not set free to commit another wrongful act to other innocent people.

You think about lies and how easily they fall from people's lips. And wonder where hate begins and how it grows.

And you close your eyes and fervently pray that you know how to teach your children right from wrong. That you can teach them to love what is good and shun what is bad. Because you want so desperately for them to be strong and upright, caring and brave, compassionate and understanding. Maybe you want them to be better than you. Isn't that what all parents want?

Con mucho cariño...