The Lawyer-Mobile

Families show love and support in so many different ways.

Some families throw wads of money at their student wards, giving them living-expense stipends or paying their rent where able. Some offer a place to stay, home-cooked meals, laundry services, and the like. Some babysit for their children's children during class hours or work; some are present for every event in which their family member is involved.

I am a single young woman, but I get help from my family in a number of those ways. I myself work about 35 hours every week to eliminate the need to take out private loans to cover my living expenses. I have also been fortunate enough to receive help from three community organizations in the form of scholarships this semester. But rather than itemize the myriad of beautiful ways I am aided by my loved ones (because they are all so appreciated, but perhaps personal to the givers), I just want to talk about the assistance I rely on most day-to-day: The Lawyer-Mobile.

So dubbed by a close friend of mine, the Lawyer-Mobile is a testament to both my parents and grandparent's love and support. While technically not a 'gift', it is exactly that to me. The car is bought and paid for by my parents, and after I finish school I am to pay back the loan. Originally my grandfathers car, they sold it to my parents (for me) before I began law school. But these details don't matter.

What matters is this: when I pile into my car each morning, throwing books onto the front leather seats and my requisite change of clothes for the evening into the back seat, the car welcomes me with the silent promise that my family will hold me together. When I turn that key in the ignition, I know that if anything fails on that machine, my parents will be at the ready to help me get it up and running. When I survey the plastic faux-wood paneling and soft leather seats, I think of car rides with my loving grandparents, and the hard work my grandfather went through to get through the same law school I now attend. When I fill up the unfortunately gas-hungry tank, I remember that if things ever get too bad, I know I have people that will offer me a place to stay, food to eat, and a million other things.

I remember that I am riding with so much wind beneath my wings, and I remember that every single day.