President’s Message: When Will the Sun Shine Again?

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By: Cheryl G. Rice

Egerton, McAfee, Armistead & Davis, P.C.

WHEN WILL THE SUN SHINE AGAIN?

February is here, and we are in the depths of winter. Snowflakes are falling from a gray sky to the wet ground as I write this.

About this time of year, many of us wish for an escape to a warmer place; some of us are fortunate enough to be able to take those trips, others are starting to plan a summer vacation. Irregardless, in one way or another, most of us are dreaming of sunnier skies.

For months we have been largely pinned down, with little to no travel, little to no chance to gather with friends and family, and seemingly little to no good news. We’ve been faced with multiple stressors, from tornadoes to a pandemic, marches and riots, a contentious election season, a Christmas morning explosion in Nashville, vaccine delays, and on the list goes. And did I mention it is Winter? Meaning it is cold, the air is often damp, and more often, our days are quite dark and dreary. This week, I watched news reports showing the U.S. Capitol being overrun by angry citizens—something I never imagined I would see in my lifetime—and as I thought back on all the events of the past twelve months, I wondered, when will the sun shine again?

Soon Groundhog Day will arrive and, just as in years past, people across the United States will again watch and hope that “Punxsutawney Phil” will not see his shadow and run for cover. If he does not, folks will cross their fingers and take his reaction (or, more accurately, his lack thereof) as a sign that winter is near its end. But, regardless of whether the groundhog sees his shadow or not, spring is coming. Life itself may seem dark and dreary at this moment, but the sun is still out there, and it does still shine and will be shining even brighter soon.

How can I say that? Well, let’s think for a moment. Throughout the past year, we have seen countless examples of kindness toward others and the strength of the volunteer spirit. Recall the many donations of food, water, medical supplies, and more that poured into Nashville after the tornado in early 2020. When the pandemic arrived in March, we saw many deliver meals to the sick, needy, and disadvantaged in our community. We enjoyed “drive-by” parades organized to commemorate accomplishments and milestones. We participated in various efforts to “shop local” and support hometown restaurants and business owners affected by COVID-19. We leveraged our creativity to find ways to gather safely. The holidays came with fewer and quieter celebrations, which allowed us to slow down, and take much needed time to quietly reflect on what—and who—really matters in our lives. Vaccines are rolling out in our community, bringing a ray of hope on the COVID-19 front, and we are becoming more adept at and more comfortable with new ways of carrying out our roles. In the process, we are finding that, in some ways, change is bringing improvements.

The Knoxville legal community has also been “paying it forward” in many ways, large and small. Our Barristers are front and center in that regard. For example, last year Mitchell Panter and Matt Knable continued the Barristers’ tradition of providing monthly breakfasts for the Volunteer Ministry Center despite COVID-19-related restrictions by cooking breakfast at home and delivering it to the VMC each month. The Barristers also collected canned food for the Second Harvest Food Bank, coats for the cold, and toys for SPARK. In this new year, the New Lawyers Section is creating opportunities for our “newest” lawyers to connect and support one another, and a multitude of opportunities for community service are planned.

But it’s not just the Barristers who are demonstrating care and compassion. Throughout the Knoxville bar, attorneys are helping one another manage through less than sunny weather by sharing expertise and experiences, stepping in to assist each other when needed, and, sometimes, just being there to see and hear one another. We continue our local practice of treating one another with respect and civility; we give grace to colleagues by agreeing to additional time for responses, collaborating on re-settings, and cooperating in many other ways; and we generously share heartfelt words of sympathy, meaningful encouragement, and genuine congratulations to fellow lawyers when it is deserved or needed.

Rather than focusing on what seems to be going wrong, our members continue to work together to make things right. As the pandemic eases, let’s not let go of the good that has resulted during this past year. Let’s continue to use each challenge as an opportunity to seek out the silver lining in what appears to be a cloud. In Tennessee, and particularly in Knoxville, we each have so much for which we can be grateful. Keep looking for the sunshine— promise you, it is out there!