I try to send short email messages to MSPD colleagues who are mentioned in the weekly “MSPD News” or Missouri Bar newsletter.

I often wonder what recipients think when they get my first email. Is this guy a crazy? Maybe they assume I’m just an Assistant Public Defender strategically lobbying for a promotion or trying to make a calculated career move.

But my true intent is uncomplicated: I am genuinely impressed by the results of their hard and noble work.

Public defense is an exhausting, fast-paced world. When we read about a coworker securing a hung jury or navigating a brutal trial to a successful finish, I suspect that everyone reading that newsletter is impressed — but most silently so. After we read the great news, most are simply too overwhelmed with our own heavy caseloads, family obligations, and the frantic pace of everyday life to stop what they are doing and say so.

I like to think that for every coworker or client who actually takes 30 seconds to send a “congrats” or a “thank you,” there are 99 others who completely intend to, but just don’t have time, energy, etc.

I have been one of the 99 much of my life. But I am at a stage in my life—at age 60, moving closer to the end of my second career after serving in the Army from 1984 to 2008, and with an empty nest at home (and a wife who commutes to DC for her work week) —where I actually have the luxury of time. Because I have those extra minutes, I want to make up for my past failure to tell people “well done” by perhaps being the “representative” for that silent 99%. Towards that end, I use that time to drop a short, sincere email or a text message to the person in the trenches.

“I always hope that when I send such emails… the recipient thinks, ‘Wow… Grant’s email shows that 100 co-workers think I am doing a good job…’” Nice.

I do know that true professionals do not carry out this grueling work to get a pat on the back. We don’t need validation to keep fighting for our clients. Yet, even for the most seasoned attorney, I do think receiving a personalized message that goes beyond a cursory, auto-piloted “thanks” can be meaningful. It might turn around an exhausting week and remind someone that their work is important and recognized.

Keep up the good and important work!