After 389 cases reviewed, many Diet Dr. Peppers, several new friends made and almost 35 hours in the Jackson County Court House, the Jackson County Grand Jury (Summer Session) is officially free to return back to their jobs and daily routines.  I am not going to say that I have not complained some this week but overall, I  would have to admit that it was a “rewarding week” even though I am mentally drained from hearing an array of cases.  What I have realized is that I am forever grateful for my life, family, job, friends and all that God has blessed me with.

It is hard to believe that there are people that are in the Jackson County Jail at this time that are literally “locked up” for 23 hours a day with 1 hour that is not spent in a very small cell.  Of course, this is not the majority that is housed there but these are those that are “problems” and seem to just not be able to be with the “others”.  I have thought of those people since I left that place this afternoon:  What do they do all day, besides sleep, eat, watch some TV and talk with the others that are there with them?  Do they realize why they are in there?  What got them there (not just the “act”) and was it something that someone else could have help prevent if they had just had their eyes open a little?  If you have never had the opportunity to tour the Jail, I can tell you with no exaggeration having to be involved- it is not a place that I would ever want to stay for even a minute (as in having a choice to be there or not).  The few minutes that I was there (the tour of the Jackson County Courthouse and Jackson County Jail is part of the “requirement” of serving on the Grand Jury), was enough for me to last a life time.  That was the worst part for me, three years ago when I had the privilege of serving on the Grand Jury for the first time.  Please know, that it is not that I feel that I am too good or would never be a person that would be in one of those cells. Because I know it could happen to any of us, including myself.  I just know that there is nothing positive about being in a place like that.  All that we take for granted…..like waking up and going to the restroom behind closed doors, opening the refrigerator and getting out the Orange Juice and flipping on the coffee pot, looking in the closet and trying to decide what clothes we are going to wear for the day, taking a long hot shower, getting in our car and going to the place that we are to go to that day, picking up the phone and calling whoever we need or want to call, and just seeing our family’s faces are just a few of the things that I know that I really do take for granted on a daily basis.  These people have nothing like the day that I just described.   Trust me , I know to get within those walls of the Jackson County Jail, you have to do something to earn that treatment.  I also know that I am pretty cold- hearted at times but I am like any other human being with a heart-It hurts to see those people sitting there- having no idea what is going on outside of those walls.  My wish and prayer is that those that are there for the first time, that it will be there LAST time but from what I have witnessed this week with many of the cases that we have reviewed and been presented to us—so many more are repeat offenders.  They just can’t seem to learn from their mistakes.

I could go on and on but I just wanted to share with you that if you are reading this post right now, please stop and tell yourself – How LUCKY you are to have a computer or Blackberry or any other device in front of you.  You are what I call FREE!!!!  I will be sharing  laws and other things that I have learn this week in later posts. You know I cannot share the cases but I really learn so much this week that I had not ever thought about or just did not know.  I hope that I will be able to share some “new things” with you as well.

I also cannot say enough of how much respect that I have for the District Attorney’s Office, The Judges, The Police Officers, The Sheriff’s Department, State Troopers and all the others that presented their cases this week.  They have a much tougher job than most will ever know.  Where I was just told or had a brief look at evidence- these people know and see and are MUCH MORE a part of all this bad…..  Yes, all of these choose the career that they have but like I say many times—they are human just like everyone else and have heart and soul.  That “heart” and “soul” are what can be “torn apart” and make you ‘hurt” for others and  their family members.  I KNOW I could not do their job and for that I “commend” them and respect them for getting up each day and ”tackling” another “Day of the Job”…. 

For now, go get your Father’s Day Gifts (those of you whose father is already in Heaven-do something that your father used to love to do or just eat one of his favorite meals or food items- I am positive he will be smiling or laughing as you are thinking of him and enjoying the memories), head to Goose Pond Amphitheatre Area to see the Scots and play some OLD games, and stay cool.  It is suppose to be VERY HOT.  And to think, that it is not officially summer until tomorrow (Sunday at 7:45 a.m. -I think).  You cannot end your day without getting a “Shaved Ice” or an Ice Cream!!!  There are many Ice Cream Spots so you should have no problem finding some..Ha!

Sorry that I took this post for my “GJ Wrap-Up” but I really just wanted to share how Thankful I am for all that I have and have been blessed with and I hope you will do the same.  Tomorrow, I will be talking about my Dad and some of my Favorite “TV/Movie” Dads.  (Remember, I did that at Mother’s Day- if you have not read that and would like to, just go to the May Post and you should be able to find it by the dates at the top of each post- it was Mother’s Day Weekend)

Have a Wonderful Saturday.  I have also got some “updating” done so check out the categories.  Still working on things that have been sent to me to post but I am slowly getting it taken care of.  I have not forgot about adding the Ipod Work-Out Music List and updating the Reading List.  That will be done this weekend!!!