CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The moral of the story

“God has told you what he wants and this is all it is: to be fair and

just and merciful, and to walk humbly with your God.�

-- Micah 6:8

Writing today’s column has been a particularly interesting experience.

I started it Tuesday, using pen and paper in a crowded room of about 200

people, and I worked on it during breaks throughout the day in various

locations.

Later, I wrote at my laptop computer on a tippy table in a noisy,

little room. There were several people in here, gathered on two little

couches, quietly reading from a vast assortment of magazines and

newspapers. There were also seven pay phones in the room, and they were

all in use.

Unfortunately this is not an ideal situation, but it’s a situation

worth writing about.

I am juror No. 12 on a criminal case. It’s lunch break for the group

and writing time for me. I have served on juries before.

My summons to appear never arrive at a convenient time, as is true

with most everyone I know. Fortunately, however, we live in a country

that has laws and systems aimed at protecting the innocent and

prosecuting the guilty.

Though this isn’t how I would have initially chosen to spend these

days, I decided to make the best of it and be the best juror I can be.

The same is generally true of those I have served with in the past. I

know that if I were in a situation that needed a jury, I would want the

jurors to take their jobs seriously.

One friend summed up this thinking by saying: “I would want me on the

jury.�

For those of you who have not served on a jury, it’s a memorable

experience long before you even make it to a courtroom. People keep

pretty much to themselves at first. It reminds me of being on an elevator

where everybody stares ahead or looks down. Before long though, people

have either gravitated to their books or begun conversations with those

around them.

Two women seated behind me were swapping recipes and sharing stories

before we received our initial instructions. Apparently one of them had a

good experience with jury duty before, having met someone who gave her a

good tip.

“I got to know another woman on my last case, and she told me about a

job she thought I might be suited for. I’ve loved working there ever

since,� my jury colleague said. “I like to think God has people and

events in my life for a reason.�

“That sounds like a great way to look at life,� responded the other

woman.

I agree. And that is how I am viewing this jury service, which is not

over yet.

I am now back at home, putting the finishing touches on this column.

I am anxious to see what unfolds in the courtroom and to get to know

my fellow jurors during our breaks. I am also looking forward to working

with them to reach a just and fair verdict.

That’s the truth. And you can quote me on that.