When We Were Young

Relatively young, that is, compared to now. Almost exactly 11 years ago Ken Koonce and I left the private practice of law to start Legal Action Works, Central Dallas Ministries’ public interest law firm, about the time this picture was taken. Ken is the handsome looking fellow on the right who, besides running Legal Action Works, is also the General Counsel for Central Dallas Ministries.

When we started our new law practice we were new not only to each other but also to working in low income communities. Over the years we learned a lot—mostly to be less naïve, but many other things as well. The time has passed so quickly. When we started his older daughter was just beginning elementary school and now she is driving. My daughter was just beginning middle school and just this month she was accepted to law school.

Lisa Goolsby in CDM’s Development Department discovered this picture as part of our move to CityWalk and was kind enough to pass it on to us. I don’t feel any older than I did back in the last century when we started this work, but looking at this picture makes me realize the time that has passed. I do feel that we’ve made good use of the last 11 years; worked hard; helped a lot of people; enjoyed life.

It’s only because I feel that way that I am at peace with the passing of the years.