After witnessing from afar the events of 9/11, the war in Iraq, and Katrina’s brutal destruction of property and lives in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, we should all take time to realize how fragile life is and how little control we have over the future.  We should not allow the “rush of life” or the “tyranny of the urgent” to distract us from the joy of living.  Making one more dollar is not more important or more satisfying than finding your place of peace, whether it be family, friends or even, dare I say it, golf.

If you don’t remember anything else in this article please remember this; your net worth does not establish your self worth.  You are my friends, and because of that very important fact you are of great value to me and our Bar Association.  As in any family, brothers and sisters will debate and even argue various topics, but when the chips are down we join together to help those in need. Of course, after all is well, the debates will resume once again, as it should be.

We cannot change in a day the plight of those less fortunate.  However your prayers and financial assistance will be appreciated by the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

I am therefore asking each person who reads or hears about this article to make a small contribution to the charitable agency of your choice to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

You can’t bail out an entire boat with one scoop; however, with thousands of scoops, the boat can be bailed out and kept from sinking. The story of the poor widow who gave pennies, which was all that she had to help others in need, illustrates that eternal laws for giving are based on percentages and not on amounts.  Her gift was deemed greater than the gold given by the wealthy man who gave far more but who still had a great fortune remaining.

You don’t have to give a big check to do the right thing.  If everyone works together hand in hand, two things will happen: (1) you will provide resources to those truly in need, and (2) you will feel great about being part of a good work.

It is important for everyone to work together to help those who can’t help themselves.  This may be the time of greatest need for our fellow citizens in our lifetime.  Thank you for your assistance and consideration concerning this most urgent request.

By the way, there is some really important Bar stuff inside.  You should read it.