There is a photo I post every year (see below) because it captures one of the most meaningful moments of my life — not just because of where I was, or whom I met, but because of what it taught me. It’s a reminder that sometimes, when we speak our wildest dreams out loud, the universe listens.
A few years back, I was approaching one of “those” birthdays — you know the kind, the ones that end in zero and make you take stock of where you’ve been and where you’re headed. My husband asked if I wanted a party. Without hesitation, I said, “God, no!” (I've never been much of a party person.)
“So, what do you want to do then?” he asked. “What’s one wild and crazy thing you’d love to do?”
I thought for a second, and then blurted out the most outrageous thing I could think of in the moment: “I want to meet Ruth Bader Ginsburg.”
We both laughed. I mean — RBG? Come on. It felt like saying, “I want to have tea with the Queen.” It was just one of those dreamy, not-going-to-happen kinds of wishes.
But here’s the twist.
A few days later, I was in my office going through the mail and came across a flyer from the American Bar Association. It was an invitation to be sworn in before the Supreme Court of the United States. I’d seen similar notices before and usually didn’t give them a second thought. But this one stopped me in my tracks. At the bottom, in small print, it mentioned a special reception following the ceremony… and the guest of honor? Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
I stared at the page in disbelief. If I hadn’t made that joke — if I hadn’t said those words out loud to my husband — I probably wouldn’t have even noticed that flyer. But now I couldn’t unsee it. And suddenly, this impossible dream felt… possible.
Fast-forward to four days after that birthday. I stood on the steps of the Supreme Court of the United States. And not long after, I was shaking the gloved hand of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg herself.
That moment changed me.
It wasn’t just the honor of meeting one of the most brilliant, courageous, and iconic legal minds of our time, though that alone would have been enough. It was the realization that sometimes the most extraordinary things can happen when you dare to imagine them. When you say them out loud. When you pay attention to the signs and step forward when the door opens.
I’ll be forever grateful to the ABA Senior Lawyers Division for making that day possible. SLD’s dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for members made a dream come true — and reminded me that we should never be afraid to dream big, even when it feels a little ridiculous.
So, here’s what I want to share with you:
Say the wild thing. Dream the big dream.
Because anything can happen — and I’m living proof.
This unforgettable experience — from the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court to the opportunity to meet Justice Ginsburg — was made possible by the ABA Senior Lawyers Division. SLD’s commitment to providing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities and building community across generations of legal professionals is truly unmatched. For those who haven’t yet participated in a Senior Lawyers Division event, don’t wait! You never know what dream might come true.
