I read the other day that a direct translation of Andrea Bocelli’s song Time to Say Goodbye does not actually make any sense. It has to do with saying goodbye to countries where he has never been, but where he is going to soon.
According to the analyst, it is better to simply listen to the song in Italian rather than bending your mind trying to understand it in English.
This theory is, to some extent, where I was a year and a half ago.
I have been practicing law for the last fifteen years from the comfortable surroundings of an office right next to my home. I moved there to be within the legal limits of the jurisdiction of the High Court as it was then.
The blessing of saving countless hours of traveling time to and fro cannot be quantified in monetary terms. That extra time that I had available for a decade and half should be added to my life span, whatever that may eventually be.
We were not dependent on walk-in clients or having to market our business.
the time to say goodbye, however, was around the corner…
My daughter, Alicia Steenkamp, became a partner in my firm in 2020. Shortly thereafter she became a co-director of our newly incorporated company with a brand new name on the wall.
The old firm had served me well over the past two decades, but it was time to have a proper look at the future with lots of new ideas and new prospects. New opportunities had opened up which needed proper consideration following Alicia passing her Conveyancing exams. The playing field had moved and we needed to adapt to new opportunities.
I am by nature somewhat reluctant to major changes. I thought that the change of address might have some challenges, but was pleasantly surprised.
So now, after a very long time of not having to do so, I am once again driving to work in the morning rush hour (or perhaps shortly thereafter). I am also having to pay rent to some landlord and be at the mercy of a security company looking after our practice at night.
I am by nature somewhat reluctant to major changes. I thought that the change of address might have some challenges, but was pleasantly surprised. We are now practicing within reach of walk-in clients in an area where legal services were not previously easy to come by.
So, although the lyrics of our new song might not in all respects make sense, it is surely time to finally say goodbye to the old and welcome the new with great expectation.
1 Comment
Johan Combrinck
August 26, 2022 - 12:44 pmVery interesting article, laying out nicely your recent journey up to here as legal firm. And, as a long-time client of yours I certainly can attest to the fact that there now clearly is a new dynamic of excitement, creativity and visible enthusiasm among both your staff, with you and Alicia. Driving to work in commute hours can be a pain. But doing so while looking forward to your workday also can be a rewarding experience. Congratulations to all of you!