The classic lawyer stereotype is a person who’s rich, unethical, maybe even a little evil. My favorite “evil lawyer” bit appeared in Grace Under Fire, a late 90s sitcom: Facing a nasty divorce, Grace asks a friend if he can put her in touch with a cutthroat attorney.
“Sure,” he replies, “my ex-wife’s lawyer.”
“Great. What’s his number?”
“He doesn’t have a phone. You draw a pentagram and summon him.”
When I told my lawyer friend Dennis this line, he chuckled. “Not that you’re anything like that,” I quickly added. “If anything you’re the opposite.” Dennis smiled and thanked me.
But I understated it. Dennis was one of the kindest, most ethical people I have ever known. Not only was he not rich, he had a diehard habit of representing anyone who needed him, often for little or no money. And this wasn’t standard pro bono lawyer stuff, it was the humble tenderheartedness of man of deep faith and humanity; Dennis was also addicted to doing volunteer work for his church and community.
In other words, as evil lawyers go, he was a complete failure.
Not that that made him immune to the mysteries of mortality. Dennis was secretary-treasurer of my production company, and last week he was supposed to drop off some tax docs. Instead, he sent a terse email: “Heading to ER.”
“Oh, no!” I replied. “Praying!” But for whom. A family member? (His wife and family are also dear to us).
Two days later, his daughter texted, “Dad left some tax docs for you. He has COVID-19.” She added me to the emergency Update.
The next morning, the Update said he was facing probable last-resort ventilation. Then he took a turn for the better. But later that night, another daughter posted, “Saying our goodbyes.” Trudy and I went to bed with our hearts breaking. For his family. For ourselves. For the many who knew and loved him.
The next morning, just 4 days after his quick trip to ER, the Update read, “He’s gone.”
Friends scheduled a candlelight vigil. On a frigid Valentine’s Day eve, perhaps 70 or more people altered their plans and stood in the snow in front of his house. Why? To show our love for his family, certainly. But also to show our gratitude for the person Dennis was.
No, make that is. Because from now on, I know that if I want to summon Dennis’s memory, all I have to do is smile…
And draw a pair of wings.
What a tender and touching eulogy. May God give his family and you, his comfort
Thank you, Mike. Prayers for the family greatly appreciated, of course.
Reminds us of the fragility of life and the enduring legacy of human warmth
What a wonderful person, and also lawyer. Very rare to find, in this money based world. Look at the politicans. Most of them had before worked as lawyers. I am so sorry for your loss, Mitch. May he rest in peace! Michael
Thank you, Michael.
What beautiful words for him – I’m sorry for your loss
Hearing that people stopped to recognize a life well-lived always blesses me, makes me want to do better, be better while I still have this chance. Sincerest condolences to Dennis’s family, Trudy and you, Mitch.
Thank you, Annie.
This is a great outlook to have Annie x
So sorry for the loss of your friend ❤️
Thanks, Paula.
So sorry to learn of the loss of your colleague and dear friend <3 This virus is no ordinary flu!
Indeed it isn’t. Thank you, Rosaliene.
So sad to hear. May God comfort his family and friends. Hugs to you.
Aw, thank you, Pene.
Mitch…. Every once in awhile a true friend in every way comes into our life and makes such an impact that we are changed forever. Your friend seemed like such a kind and genuine person for the people and as you say a real rarity as lawyers go. May God Bless the family of Dennis and may you find peace in the loss of your good friend Mitch (Psalm 34:18).
Julia
Thank you, Julia.
This brought tears to my eyes, Mitch. Such a lovely tribute; such a tragic loss. I weep for all have or are losing dear ones at this time.
Thanks, V.J. Me too.
Prayers of comfort and God’s peace for Dennis’s family and for you and yours Mitch.
Thank you, my friend.
Sorry for your loss, Mitch, Trudy and Dennis’s family. Wishing and praying for peace and comfort for you all. ❤😔🙏
Thank you, Gail.
It’s sad when we lose a friend and great person like this. Peace.
Thanks, Andrew.
Mitch, my heart hurts for you and all who loved and will miss him here on earth. May all of you feel God’s arms around you as you also hold onto each other.
Thank you so much, Julanne.
Mitch, I’m so sorry to see this news. May the love of friends and family surround you brining you the love of Christ to help bring healing to your heart. Peace be with you, friend.
Thank you, Steve, and you as well.
sorry for the loss of your friend
Thanks, Robert.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Very sad.
Thank you, Doval.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. Thank you for sharing this good man with us, Mitch.
Bless you, Donna.
You are blessed to have such people in your life. So sorry for this loss, Mitch. God bless!
Thank you, dear Nancy.
I am sorry for the loss, Mitch. What a wonderful tribute you shared here. Much love to the you and the family.
Thank you so much, Erika.
💖
Aw, angel — yeah. ♥️ I’m sorry, Mitch.
Thank you.
My heart is aching for your loss, Mitch. I’m praying for strength and comfort for you and for all who are grieving your very special friend.
Bless you, Linda.
Sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Susan.
Such a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your dear friend. Makes me wish I had known him. I’m so sorry for your loss, Mitch. Thanks for sharing a bit of your heartache as you shared a bit of your friend with us.💔
Thanks and blessings, Gina.
Have you shared this fine eulogy with Dennis’ family? I think it would give them some comfort.
No, but I’ll post a link to it on Facebook, and we’re all FB friends, so they’re bound to see it.
Sorry for the loss of your friend, Mitch. Good friends are very hard to come by. Friends who are more like family are outright rare.
Thanks, Jimmy.
I’m sorry to hear another Angel of earth has gone back to heaven. People like him are sorely needed here. So sorry for the loss of your good friend. Too much of that happening these days.
Thank you so much.
I’m sorry for his family and your loss Mitch.
Thanks, Max.
Oh, no, Mitch. I am so, so sorry. My heart goes out to Dennis’ family and all those who knew and loved him.
Thank you, dear Liz.
You’re welcome, Mitch.
So sad to know his good heart is no longer in this world. And yet, perhaps it is, in friends like you who share him with us. Thank you.
My honor, Anna.
Thank you for sharing this tribute of your friend with us. My condolences to you and Trudy. I will be praying for the God of all comfort to meet with Dennis’ family and provide the solace only He can.
Thank you, Manette.
My deepest condolences, Mitch. It’s always tough when friends and relatives pass on.
It is. Thanks, Alex.
You’re welcome!
I’m so very sorry 🙁 🙁
Thank you, M.B.
Between the hello and good bye of a friendship there are so many lovely memories. May you find comfort in all of those now. My condolences to you on the loss of your friend.
Thank you, Lori.
Mitch… this is a lovely and touching description of Dennis. Our family has been the recipient of Dennis’s lawyerly services (not the free ones) but he was such a caring person, as well a a key member of your company. He is missed. He also lived a life that modeled his Christian faith. I find it difficult to think about life without his presence among us.
Me too, Ron. Blessings, my friend.
So tragic! I’m very sorry for your sudden loss of a wonderful friend. May you feel God’s presence, and may all of you who loved him be comforted.
Amen, Patty.
My condolences to you, and Dennis’s family and friends.
Thank you.
Sorry for the loss of your friend, colleague and friend. Those are the hardest to find and harder to lose.
They are indeed, Rocky.
Mitch, I am very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. How horrible; 4 days. 😥 This is yet one more far too personal example of the horrors of COVID.
What a wonderful tribute to your good friend. I am certain he would have loved your lawyer joke. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you, Tim.
I am very sorry for the loss of your friend. But this blog was a testament to your friendship and a wonderful tribute to Dennis. My condolences also go out to that family. I pray that God will spread his wings of mercy and love around them at this time.
Thank you so much, Claudia.
He sounds like a very special person and you wrote a beautiful tribute. Sorry for your loss, Mitch.
Thanks, Shelly. And yes, he was/is.
What a great tribute you expressed in this post for your friend. Prayers for the comfort of your friend’s family and dear ones.
Thank you.
Very sad to hear the loss of your friend. My condolences to his family .
Thanks, Veena.
I am so sorry to hear about Dennis’ death. He sounds like an incredible guy. Blessings to you and Trudy and to his family in your time of grief.
Thank you, Russ. I’m blessed to count you as a friend, as well.
I’m so very sorry for your loss! Dennis sounded like a wonderful person. And it’s always so hard when we lose a loved one so suddenly. I’ll be praying for his family, and for yours. Blessings and peace…..
Thank you so much, Ann. I should have written this earlier: While I truly miss my friend Dennis, his wife and family are experiencing that loss x 1,000.
Such loving words. So sorry for the loss of your friend.
Thank you, Julie.
you are welcome
Sorry for your los, Mitch. Clearly he was a fine man. Beautiful post!
Thank you, Jennie, and yes, he was.
You’re welcome, Mitch.
Ooops, loss
I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend. He sounds like a very special man, and I know you will miss him. I’m praying for you and his family.
Thank you, Kathy.
Such an accurate and loving tribute to our Dennis. He was a friend before my lawyer, and handled every bit of my life with tender, loving care and professional precision – More like a brother looking out after his family. I will miss him terribly.
That’s Dennis. Bless you, dear Jocey.
Mitch, you have written a beautiful eulogy for your friend, Dennis. As a retired legal secretary, I’m also happy to hear of another attorney who isn’t greedy and selfish. I’ve known a few in my lifetime. You were blessed to meet Dennis. I also know the sorrow of losing someone dear in the length of a few days to COVID. Thanksgiving morning found us praying and weeping over a dear SIL who spent just about the same number of days from ER to heaven because of COVID. I’ll be praying for you and Trudy and for Dennis’s family.
Thank you so much, Sherrey, and prayers for your family’s loss, as well.
I’m glad you wrote a tribute for Dennis, Mitch. He was the sweetest of men, humble and full of love.
He was (is) indeed, Colleen.
What a beautiful tribute to a dear friend. I’m sure you made him smile.
Hope so, Annie. Thanks.
Now I’m praying, too. For his family, for you, and all feeling this sudden, tragic loss. Peace and comfort.
Thank you so much, Crystal.
So sorry for your loss
Thank you, Katey.
Beautiful tribute, Mitch. X
Thank you so much.
More than welcome Mitch, hope you are coping well xx
I am, thank you. But do keep his wife and family in prayer. Their grief goes so much deeper.
And I know you understand why I say that.
Beautiful tribute to your friend. God bless. -Anna
Thank you, Anna.
What a beautiful tribute to a friend who sounds like beautiful soul.
A good man indeed. Thank you, Jenn.
So sorry for the loss of a good friend. May God continue to bless you with healing memories, that bring joy to your heart.
Thank you so much, Shirley.
One thing I felt is Life is so precious. Don’t know when God pulls us near him but all we have to do is Grateful and spend each moment in Life. May God Give peace to his family and Soothing affection from other friends in the world
Amen.
I’m sorry for your loss Mitch. There are no words…
True. Thanks, Gregory.
So sorry about this!
May God grant his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss. 🙏
I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Dennis. I pray for strength and comfort for you and the rest of his family and friends.
Heartbreaking to loose a friend 💔
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My sincere condolences…may you experience God’s peace, comfort and strength.
Thank you, Meonn.
Such a fine and fitting tribute, Mitch. I got to know Dennis because our kids were close growing up, but I really learned about the person he was during the eight years we spent together in a Father’s Ministry small group. Dennis was one of the kindest, most genuine people I have ever had the privilege to know and call a friend. Count me among the many who will miss him dearly.
Thank you for your heartfelt addition to this tribute, Doug.
🙏🙏🙏
Thank you.
What a wonderful tribute to a dear friend. I hope you continue to smile when you think of him. Thank you for visiting and following my blog. Take care and stay safe.
Thank you, Anne, and you too.
Words most times are not enough to express how we feel, but it is better to let it out. I pray God comforts his family.
Thank you.
Touched by each other’s lives. Blessings from heaven. In reality, it is the touch of God . . .
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Well said. I didn’t even know him, but feel the loss and pain through your words.
You added feathers to his angel wings with this loving story.
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What a fantastic tribute to a dear friend Mitch. You were Blessed to share friendship with such a humble man.
I was indeed, Dann.
On the way home from saying goodbye to my brother. Thanks for the timing here. God bless.
Oh, Nancy, I’m so sorry to hear that. Love and condolences, dear friend. 🙏