By Lucy Curci-Gonzalez, Executive Director
Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.
– Lucius Annaeus Seneca
I often comment, with apologies to the great Joe Cocker, that law librarians get by with a little help from their colleagues. Throughout the past year and a half of pandemic, this has been proven time and time again.
A shining example of this is the kindness shown by Eugene Giudice, Chicagoland law library maven, host of weekly social Zooms, and the thoughtful author of daily meditations. Eugene found an exceptional way to cope with life and career disruptions by sending email reflections to colleagues and friends. Released this spring, Reflections During a Pandemic: Thoughts While Sheltering in Place collects these in both print eBook format.
Each day’s message begins with a quote from people ranging from celebrities to musicians, to philosophers. And each entry ends with a thoughtful question to spur the reader on to further reflection. Eugene’s interview with Greg Lambert and Marlene Gebauer on the Three Geeks and A Law Blog explores his motivations for writing better than I can.
The value I find in Eugene’s writing is the thought he puts into his inspirational messages. This is not a book meant to be read straight through, but one meant to be leafed through at a moment of introspection. I even used one entry as the jumping off point for writing a sympathy letter to a friend.
However you consult Eugene’s opus, you will value the support and encouragement he gives to colleagues and friends.
The book is in NYLI’s collection and available for members to borrow.
