time reveals character.

i'm still in courtday attire aka - skirt. i'm wrapped up in my duvet and woolly socks because i'm waiting for the cottage to warm up. england is cold today.

i'm going to talk about work now and i don't expect anyone to get what i'm talking about but, i was anxious last night and this morn when i woke up. i'm not usually anxious on courtday, but i knew the docket was loaded with heavy stuff this morning as i was the one who had prepared the assessments. complex stuff. risky stuff. hold-men-accountable-to-their-violent-choices type stuff. it took us longer to get through the cases. dv stuff. parties needing to be seen separately for obvious safety reasons. i know the judge and i certainly earned our money today. he looked a little worn out when i went into the court room to collect his orders. i managed to drum up some business for the agency, but i just couldn't see any way around it and i wasn't comfortable agreeing to things with the lawyers due to the risk factors. this judge seems to be agreeing with my assessments, as the courtdays pass by. i think he gets where i'm coming from. and i am so thankful for that. he's a big believer in therapeutic interventions, just like me. walking back to my car this afternoon, my mind a buzz, i'm reflecting on how wonderful and blessed i am to be covering a court with such a great judge. like, really...blessed. not only does he bring biscuits in the morning, he insists on meeting to review the cases before the hearings so he can get a handle on the issues. i've visited other courts and it's not quite like this. he gets it, and i like working together. i am very much a team player.

oh, and the highlight of my day? i made a mom cry. well, i validated her commitment to address her mental health and the years it has taken her to strike a balance. she was brutually honest how her manic depression negatively impacted her parenting and how she exposed her children to some ugly things. the strength it takes people to own up and face their mental health is unreal. she overcame it all. people are amazing.

off to small group i go.

oh, and how is it friday tomorrow? geez louise.