This week, I was very sad to hear of the death of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The year I spent clerking for the Justice is one of the highlights of my whole life.
She was a remarkable person. She was high-minded and immensely pragmatic; hard-working and fun-loving; independent and collaborative; a curious combination of self-assurance and humility. She was the “young cowgirl from the Arizona desert” who was perfectly at home on the Supreme Court.
Since I heard the news, I’ve spent hours in reminiscence. I’ve been reading articles summing up her legacy, I’ve been emailing with my fellow clerks, I’ve made plans to head to Washington, D.C. I’ve also looked at old photos—the casual shots from the fishing trip we all took (I remember how the guides became much more relaxed after the Justice caught her first fish), the formal portrait she gave me when my clerkship ended.
I pulled out my “Justice Never Rests” t-shirt from our morning aerobics class and the “SO’C Grandclerk” t-shirts she sent me when my daughters were born.
I’ve also been reflecting on something that always struck me about the Justice. In some way that I’ve never been quite able to put into words, Justice O’Connor, to me, seemed to embody a particular aspect of the United States, in its vast open spaces, its restless people searching for a better life and praying for rain, in some mystical way that—I must admit—was utterly incongruous with her actual personality. And yet…perhaps she felt this, too? I wonder. I wish I’d asked her.
While I’m saddened by her death, I also feel happy as I reflect on her life. What an admirable life Sandra Day O’Connor led! She worked tirelessly to advance the aim of good government. I’m honored that I knew her and had the opportunity, in my own small way, to serve in her chambers.
I love miniatures, gingerbread houses, and Kansas City. A thoughtful listener sent me photos of gingerbread versions of two KC institutions that are especially close to my heart: Winstead’s diner (my family and I always eat there the first day we arrive in KC) and Union Station (my father played a huge role in helping to restore this historic building).
Have you ever wondered about someone you know, “Is it possible that this person is a spy?” I have. So I was very intrigued to read this short piece, “How to tell if someone is a spy.”
I love children’s literature, and I love picture books, and I love the subject of habits. So I recently pulled my copy of Jennifer E. Smith’s delightful The Creature of Habit off the shelf. As a fairly rigid Upholder myself, even as a small child, I identify with the main character.
A thoughtful reader sent me this beautiful work, “Colors” by cartoonist Grant Snider. I think this exercise would be interesting to try myself: track the colors of different parts of my day. I’m reminded of the work of artist Jennifer Bartlett, with her AIR: 24 Hours paintings (Five P.M. is my favorite). Also, something interesting about Grant Snider: he has a day job as an orthodontist.
One odd thing that fascinates me is airplane-boarding systems. So I was very interested to read in this New York Times article that, for the main cabin, United Airlines is going to start boarding window seats first (people traveling together can board together), then middle, then aisle. It sounds like a good idea.
Updates
It’s easy to rush from the holiday season into the new year without taking time to reflect on the past. This month’s Jump-Start in the Happier™ app offers seven days of prompts to help you conduct a year-end review. The Jump-Start begins this Sunday, December 10—click here to download the app and join for free.
Today is your last chance to order gifts from The Happiness Project Collection and receive them by December 25th with regular FedEx and UPS Ground shipping. Get 20% off Journals, Apparel, Drinkware, and Organization Tools until tonight at 11:59pm PT. Use code: HOLIDAY2023
