The Lawyer’s Having a Day

It’s time for a birthday. No, not mine. The Lawyer’s. It’s a special one. Oh, not because it ends in a zero, but because it’s happening. It’s a big deal, ya’ll. Every birthday is a big deal.

In fact, every day of his life is a big deal. Your life, too, but especially his.

But back to his birthday. He’s turning 69. Not sure if I’m taking a chance with my life by telling you that little tidbit, but I’m willing to risk it. Mostly, of course, because I’m nowhere near that age, so, really, no skin off my back. Besides, I can run faster than he can.

In his 69 years, he’s done more than ninety-nine percent of the population could even dream of. He’s led a remarkable life. He was born into a military family; Dad was career Air Force. Mr. Brooks’ service took them across the globe for a year in Japan, to Nebraska, Homestead, Virginia, and finally retirement in Crestview, FL. The Lawyer picked up playing the trumpet along the way, and after graduating high-school in Crestview, moved to Coral Gables to attend The University of Miami on a full trumpet scholarship. Before it was over, he was arranging music for the marching band, and a private student of a world-renown composer. In the midst of it, he worked summer construction with his dad, rode a bike everywhere because he had no car, worked odd jobs for many of the professors at the university, and side-gigged with his trumpet every chance he got. Even played The National Anthem at the horse race track. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for a buck.

After graduation, he took his first career job at Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School in St. Pete as the band director. He spent a few years there, then took the director’s position at Gibbs High. Some of his kids moved schools with him as they grew up, and are now considered life-long friends.  He still calls them “his kids,” though most are becoming grandparents now, and he keeps up with many of them.  It’s not uncommon for them, especially the men, to thank him for being a “dad” to them.  He touched their lives in a very profound way.  And let me mention, he played in the Symphony, too.  But after a few more years leading a Superior Award Winning Band, he decided it was time for the next career and joined The United States Army.  He was a Warrant Officer and flew blackhawk helicopters.  Quite the career change, no?

He served our country well for five years – flying, directing the orchestra (they found out he had a certain set of skills), and pushing the men in his company to always be their best.  Of course, they won every award in every competition.  So after his five years, he gladly took his DD214 and headed to law school.  Time for career number 3.

The University of Florida was home for the next couple of years, where head-down in the books, he graduated first in his class.  He and his family ended up in Tallahassee, blessed with two precious little girls, and a budding law career.  He has more knowledge of the law in his little finger than I could ever find in my entire buck-0-eight, and along the way has learned enough medicine to be dangerously agile in the courtroom.  Quite the combination.  Medical Malpractice Defense is his main vein, but let me tell you from experience, he’s also killer in Small Claims Court. Seriously though, his scope is wide and his willingness to help, broad.  He is generous with his knowledge.

Watching his girls grow into beautiful, respected, fine young women has truly been the hi-light of his life. From taking them on Indian Princess campouts, to high-school and college band performances, to adulthood, he could not be any more proud of them, and thankful to their mom for jointly instilling in them a love of music, arts, humor, and most importantly God.  Now he’s seeing the future with his two-year-old grandson and the one on the way.  I think he’s realizing his legacy will live on in the far, far, distant future.

Time passes, careers flourish, relationships bud, bloom, and sometimes wither.  This has been the case for The Lawyer.  All the while flying planes, building things, cooking, traveling the world, playing music; there’s nothing he can’t or doesn’t do.  “Talented” is a failure of a word in attempt to describe Joseph Brooks.  But, he is incredibly talented.  Blessed with so many giftings. It’s almost just really not fair.  He got more dose than most.  Smart, funny (sometimes), quick-witted, intelligent, handsome, introspective, a vocabulary bigger than Webster, abilities beyond comprehension.  He’s a true Renaissance Man.  It is mesmerizing to be in his world.

Now we’re here at his birthday, celebrating the start of another trip around the sun, as they say.  This is one I want to just sit deep in, wallow in, eat every crumb of.  This handsome man of mine, lying here beside me watching HGTV and the Food Network, waiting on the editor to send over the latest episode of Lawyer In The Kitchen, has experienced more in 69 years than I could ever put on paper.  I hope some day you get to meet him, he’s pretty dang awesome.  Generous, gruff, high expectations, sensitive, not afraid to cry at a movie, flip you off in traffic, road warrior, provider, flower giver, detail driven, Christian, father, grandfather, amazing husband.

Joseph Brooks, I hope this birthday is the most fantastic, and that you have so many more.  I am blessed to be your wife.  Thank you for loving me so well.  Enjoy every day of your life.  I love you. Focker.  Happy Birthday!