As you might imagine, Ashley and I are very nervous about another surgery. But after living with his sleep epnea these past few months, we can’t wait to see him breathing normally.

Please keep him on your thoughts.

The Calabria family wishes you a brilliant 2009, filled with much love, health, and peace of mind; many travels; and quality time with family and friends.

Happy New Year!!!

I must admit I was a bit concerned about the idea of spending the week in a court room. But I can also say that I was just as curious, and even excited, to be part of it.

It didn’t start too well. It took about 1 1/2 hrs for the clerks to sort about 150 potential jurors into two court rooms. And once in the court room, it took almost another hour for our group to be subdivided into 6 x 12 juror teams. Looking at the bright side, we have been told this was the best attendance they ever had. So it is obvious, The People is getting more involved. We pledge the flag; the Judge hold a moment of silence; he gave us a brief description of the jury selection process; he introduced both the Plaintiff and Defendant attorneys; he introduced the Defendant; and finally, he gave us a brief description of the case.

I knew right way, I did not want to be part of the jury. As it turned out, the case involved an Adult Male accused of child molestation and rape of a 14 year old girl. As a teenager, a good friend, a beautiful 14 year old, was raped at gun point while walking from her home to another friend’s house to attend a birthday party. It had a big impact on me, and I never had much tolerance for any king of disrespectful advances — even while growing up, at that time, with a certain acceptable level of the Brazilian “Macho” attitude.

After answering a short questionnaire and answering some generic questions the jury selection started. The college students were excused; folks with medical conditions and care givers were excused; and finally a couple of folks who already had previous business travel engagements were also excused. The Judge then asked if any one had any pre-assumed judgement on the case at hand. I was the only one to raise my hand. I approached the bench; I explained my friend’s experience and its impact on me; and I explained that even though I knew this man might not be guilt of any crime, I knew that he would have to prove his innocence to me. And it yes, it should be the other way around: assumed innocent, until proven guilt. Neither the Plaintiff or the Defendant legal teams had any objections, and I was excused.

As I came out of the court room, I was surprised to realize that I was shaking. I had not remenbered my friend’s terrible ordeal for many, many years. And now that I’m a father of a beautiful little girl of my own, I was physically startled by such terrible thoughts.

I was very glad to go to work that afternoon!