WJBK Detroit -
We've had a couple moments during this trial
that have reinforced the importance of setting the right priorities in our
lives – you know, those precious few hours that DON'T involve sitting on hard
benches and trying to make sense of the work of lawyers who seem like their
idea of a good time is finding a cat in the dark and arguing over which shade
of gray it is.
The first reminder occurred last month in the
courtroom, when attorney Gerald Evelyn – a workaholic with a reputation for
putting his clients' needs ahead of even his own physical well-being – fell
ill. Thankfully, his collapse identified a treatable condition while providing
an indisputable warning that he needs to take better care of himself. He's back
in court, back on top of his game and, hopefully, squeezing in a few hours
sleep on a regular basis.
The second reminder occurred this week and is
more subtle, coming in the form of narrow, elastic black bands wrapped
around the badges of court security officers throughout the courthouse.
The bands honor their brother, Mike
Jastremski, a tall, quiet man with a fondness for word games and
puzzles.
He reportedly also had a keen eye for stray bottles
and cans (and their 10-cent bounties).
His tidy appearance was betrayed only by the
unruly strands of wiry gray hair on his pate, which gave rise to good-natured
ribbing and the nickname "Kramer." He was also known as "Fish," for his vague
resemblance to Abe Vigoda, who played Det. Phil Fish on the 70s and 80s police
sitcom "Barney Miller" and the short-lived spin-off "Fish." (Vigoda also
starred as Tessio in "The Godfather," the film Kwame Kilpatrick and Christine
Beatty discussed in their infamous text messages.)
Jastremski went home from work last week and
didn't come back. He died in his sleep on Thanksgiving.
His colleagues say he had no family, but it
sure seems like he had plenty of friends.
CSOs spoke glowingly of a kind, shy man who
had plenty to say, if someone engaged him.
His gentle nature even made an impression
on some of the reporters who were regulars in the courthouse even before the
former mayor, his father and their good friend Bobby Ferguson became
regulars in the courthouse, too.
While Jastremski at some point in his life
apparently expressed a preference that no one make a fuss over his passing – he
will be cremated and there will be no formal services – his colleagues will
celebrate his life Thursday evening at a local establishment. The agenda, like
the honoree, will be focus on the simple things in life: food, beverages,
stories.
I didn't know Jastremski at all. We both sat
in the media room once, maybe twice, during the Kilpatrick Inc. trial. I don't
recall whether we ever exchanged more than a polite nod.
But I know this much: Even people who live
quiet lives, whether they realize it or not, touch people.
And while they may pass without a word, there
are people who will miss them and speak well of them.
To me, that's as fine a tribute as any I
can imagine.
Follow M.L. Elrick's coverage of the
Kilpatrick & Co. trial daily on FOX 2 and at www.myfoxdetroit.com. Contact him at ml.elrick@foxtv.com or via Twitter
(@elrick) or Facebook. And catch him every Friday morning around 7:15 a.m. on
Drew & Mike on WRIF, 101.1 FM. He is co-author of "The Kwame Sutra:
Musings on Lust, Life and Leadership from Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick,"
available at www.kwamesutra.com. A
portion of sales benefit the Eagle Sports Club and Soar Tutoring. Learn more at
www.eaglesports.com.
