Vol. 32, No. 3, 6. FROM THE TOP.

• Author: By Rick Lavery, President

Wyoming Bar Journal

2009.

Vol. 32, No. 3, 6.

FROM THE TOP

Wyoming LawyerIssue: June, 2009From the TopBy Rick Lavery, President Ann and I took a little road trip last week with our two youngest kids. We loaded up the car and traveled 865 miles to Omaha. The occasion was my oldest son Sean's graduation from law school. I am happy to report that I didn't have to shout, "If I have to stop this car...," one single time. Of course David is 21 and Janie is 18 so that helped. They're also pod people, and I don't mean the zombie type. I mean the wires out of the ears, wide awake, but unable to hear or speak, pod people. You put them in their seats and they don't make a sound. Really, it was a good trip. Spring was in the air and we live in a beautiful part of the world. Ann and I talked, read, listened to the radio and just enjoyed being together.

In addition to our immediate family, 12 extended family members showed up for the ceremony and it was wonderful that they took the time to share this moment in our lives. Omaha is a special place for our family. Ann and I met in Omaha while students at Creighton University. Two of our kids, Sean and Chris, went to school there, so there is a lot of good feeling and nostalgia about the place.

With my kids finishing up one school or another almost yearly, you would think that these ceremonies would be old hat, but I personally underestimated the emotion that I felt watching my oldest son graduate from law school. Graduation day started with Ann, my bother-in-law Kit and I, arriving about an hour and a half early to "save" seats - 17 to be exact. I felt like I was holding down a hill on the battlefield and by the time our party showed up, I was kicking people out of seats that I wasn't even saving.

Finally, the music started and I saw the banner, "School of Law." I watched the graduates emerge into the arena with their black and purple gowns, hoods and caps, signifying the hard work, passion and accomplishment that we all know so well. To be honest, it sent chills through me and I was beaming with pride. Ann and I have always taught our kids to find something that they love to do and to pursue their own dreams. Sitting there, I realized that Sean was following in my footsteps but at the same time, blazing his own trail. I look forward to years of hearing about and talking about his...