Judy Chambers has passed away.  Eight months after Tom.

In September we received a picture postcard from their final scuba diving trip.  He later posted it to his blog.

After reading it (and recovering my equilibrium) I sent Tom an email.  The interchange is a reminder to all of us (even the busiest of us trial lawyers) - of the importance of love.

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Karen Koehler <karenk@stritmatter.com>
To: 'tom chambers' <speed4tom@netzero.net>
Subject: RE: A picture postcard
Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 03:15:05 +0000

Dear Tom – Nice way to save the tear jerker for the end.     I didn’t know that added to your accomplishments, was part-time jewelry designer.    The glimpse of these later years of life with Judy that you have shared, give me pause to reflect that maybe I shouldn’t stay single the rest of my life - perfectly content as I am to always get my own way and do whatever I want!  Your children are blessed to be able to witness such devotion and true love.  Thank you for sharing with me,

Aloha Tom,

karen

From: tom chambers [mailto:speed4tom@netzero.net]
Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 8:53 PM
To: Karen Koehler
Subject: RE: A picture postcard

I feel very fortunate having Judy and my children so close right now.  It would be a miserable life if I were alone.  But I am just damn lucky to have married one of the nicest creatures ever to have drawn breath on this planet.  That we both took up scuba diving was also a stroke of luck.  At our age, we have a sport in common that has taken us to warm sandy beaches around the world.

Your daughters will always be close to you but they will have their own lives to live.  So take your time.  Choose a mate based not just upon passion but with whom you share common interest and activities and you can be best friends with for the rest of your life.  By the way, that means you must develop some activities other than trying cases.  Having a balanced life is not easy for a trial lawyer.  You must set you mind to do it and follow through.  I may be one of the few people to be able to influence you.  It is good that you have noticed how important relationships are to enjoying a rich life.

tom

Photo by Tom Chambers:    "I am proud of the above pendant because I designed (or at least had the concept for) this pendant Judy wears more often than not.  The black pearl represents the world and the two dolphins represent Tom and Judy.  Judy is the dolphin in front in white gold and Tom is the dolphin in back in yellow gold.  To me it represents the joy, like two playful dolphins, we have shared scuba diving which has often taken us to exotic places."