A LOST LEADER

July 22, 2022

Our firm is an estate planning and probate law firm (with some business planning and tax planning work thrown in as well), so we are accustomed to dealing with death. Unfortunately, this past week was not normal – the horrible and senseless killing of Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams, the District Superintendent of the Metro Conference of the United Methodist Church, was devastating to so many of us. In simple terms, it hurt.

For those of you who are not aware, I have been practicing law for 36 years, but am pursuing a Masters of Divinity degree at the present time. While I will be continuing to practice law until I breathe my last breath, I hope to become a United Methodist pastor by the time I am 70 years of age, and if I do, Autura was likely going to be my boss. Last week, I had scheduled a Zoom conference with her for yesterday, to discuss the process of my ordination and assimilation within the church as a future clergy member. That opportunity was taken away by some young men who made the judgment call that a used car was more valuable than a life. I will greatly miss the opportunity of getting to know her better, and growing under her guidance.

It seems too simple to say at this point, but life is short, and we need to cherish each day we have. Autura’s untimely death reminds us that we need to embrace our passions: including family, friends, special moments and special activities, which for me, include Notre Dame football, playing the tuba, and, just every once in a while, a Fox Ridge Special pizza.

One of my life lessons from walking the Camino de Santiago five years ago was learning to live in the moment. From this horrible event of losing a great person in our community, let us walk away from this with a commitment to live in, and to celebrate each moment.

We will return to estate planning 101 next week.

Pat