He is in the probate and juvenile division while I will replace Judge Tim Oliver (who is retiring) in the domestic relations division. I am appreciative in a very big way, to so many people, for a showing of support that overwhelms me. Thank you.
I've been thinking tonight about our dad, who for 40 years was a Warren County attorney before he passed away eight years ago. Dad taught us the value of staying in school and working hard, and always -- without fail -- helping those who are less fortunate than we are. He was a generous man that way.
I imagine a time many years from now when I see him again in heaven. The scene will be somewhat similar to that moment in "Forrest Gump" when Jenny is listening to all of Forrest's stories about running in the desert and fishing in the Louisiana bayou and watching the setting sun in Vietnam.
That's where Jenny says, "I wish I could have been with you." And Forrest says: "You were." She was always there in his mind and in his heart.
In a similar way, I will reunite with Dad, and he will take me to lunch. And he'll want to talk about all the developments in the Warren County legal landscape throughout the years. He will be proud to reflect how Joe took over a court that had once had Jack Tracy, Mark Clark and Mike Powell as Judge -- people Dad always respected.
And he'll want to discuss how I took over a court first held by James Flannery before Judge Oliver took over 13 years ago -- men he thought served Warren County in grand fashion, initially as county prosecutor before taking the bench. I suspect he will hang on my every word.
Joe and I are the living legacy to the leader of the band.
Near the end of our conversation, Dad will promise we will meet again later, for dinner. But, in the meantime, he might say something similar to what Jenny told Forrest. "Wow, I wish I could have been with you to see all of it," he will say.
My response will be simple, and sweet.
"You were."