Law Students

Meeting Dr. Bombay, Jr.

By Casebook Sherpa

I had the distinct privilege of meeting Dr. Bombay, Jr. this weekend. I must say that even though he’s not my kid, seeing him and spending time with the Bombay clan really does put things in perspective.

Not in a “wholly crap I would never have one of those things” way.

But more in a “there are far more important things in life than fall recruiting and criminal procedure” way.

It’s not like I don’t have friends with kids. Every time I turn around it seems like someone’s popping one out or preparing to do so. I love all of them and spending time with them. (And no Mrs. Sherpa and I are not in a rush to have one of our own, but thank you for asking.)

To have a close friend going through school and work and life have a baby, though, is much different.

It underscores that life is still happening outside of law school. And not just the “same-old same-old” stuff of life. But the really monumental, meaningful stuff of life. Sure, other classmates have had kids over the last two years but I’m not close to them and frankly don’t really care all that much.

Seeing a classmate and a good friend holding his son really cuts through the fog of case law and provides a clearer perspective on what ultimately matters.

Clearly there are far worst things that could happen to you than bombing your Torts exam. As Dr. Bombay put it, “Even if you just ate it on your Contracts exam, at least you?re complaining to your friends about it over a beer, and not in the Oncology ward.”

But watching Dr. Bombay hold his son and seeing the little guy yawn that “soul-cleansing” yawn, reminded that there are also clearly far better things that could happen to you than acing that Torts exam.

That’s the absolute truth.

I guess the point is that no matter how consuming law school will get, it helps to remember that law school shouldn’t be an excuse for us missing the enduring and vital things of life. It’s necessary to take time and energy to devote to your family and friends. There will always be more reading and more briefs and more articles to edit (at least for now). But the time you invest in what really matters will endure far beyond graduation.

At least it helps me to remember that.

Full post as published by Fight The Hypo on September 14, 2009 (boomark / email).