Douglass & Runger - April 2020
April 2020
Supporting You NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS
I come from a long line of lawyers. My grandfather was a revered attorney who graduated from Harvard Law School and argued cases in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Many of my cousins on that side of the family followed our grandfather’s suit and became attorneys themselves, but I wasn’t initially sure if that path was the right choice for me. I spoke German fluently in college, and coupled with my business background, it led me to believe I would do something in international business law. Instead, I ended up doing pretty much the exact opposite, but I could not be happier with the outcome. I graduated from law school in May 2003 and passed the bar exam the following autumn. I started looking for jobs right away. (Not to age myself, but I was looking for jobs back when you had to scroll through the Yellow Pages to find attorneys!) While I had offers from smaller firms, nothing was that interesting to me, so I kept searching. Eventually, I found Mr. Eugene Douglass. I began working with him on an “eat what you kill” commission-based scenario and did not receive a salary, which meant that I was paid only on the cases I took on. It was scary at first because I was essentially handling all different types of cases, from divorce matters to criminal defense cases, but it forced me to learn a variety of different areas of law, which ended up being a great benefit. Soon, this relationship developed, and I was taking on more cases and building my clientele. Before we knew it, the firm started to become Douglass & Runger, so we made it official in 2010. Despite my original intentions to practice international law, I found my calling and passion at this firm. I’ve always been someone who loves helping people solve problems, and the thing that I admire most about our firm is we do just that. We help clients with an array of legal problems — not just one niche — because our goal is to keep every legal issue you’re struggling with in-house. We want to be the support system you turn to when you are facing any type of legal concerns. Clients may come to our firm needing assistance with their divorce, and in the future, they may need support after an accident leaves them injured. They may need us to help them update their estate plan after that divorce, too. We have experts in each of these areas on our team because we know how valuable it is for you to have someone in your corner. It’s even more valuable when that person already knows your history.
The point is that no one ever knows what their future may hold, but our clients deserve the security of knowing they have a firm that will support them regardless of what happens. This may be an “old-school” way of doing law, but it’s an effective way to do it. I love serving our Memphis community in this way. I grew up across Tennessee in Knoxville, and I have lived all across the southern half of the U.S., but I can honestly say that Memphis is home to some of the nicest people in the country. I have loved calling Memphis my home for the past 20 years, and I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. There’s a rich diversity in Memphis that you cannot find anywhere else. Plus, the music, restaurants, and entertainment are second to none. To be able to serve Memphis the way I do each day is a great feeling. I love the people I work with, and I know we all truly care about our clients. Thank you for trusting us with some of your biggest crises. We’ll be here if another one hits.
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THE AGE OF STRESS Helping Your Child Overcome Anxiety
How do I know if my child is stressed?
It’s hard to imagine kids as anything but carefree, happy, and eager to explore the world around them. However, children experience stress just like adults do, which can severely impact their typically cheerful dispositions. Since April is National Stress Awareness Month, now is an opportune time to familiarize yourself with tools and information that can help you alleviate your child’s stress. What are their stressors? Any number of everyday factors can lead to stress, and stress can plague anyone who
When a kid is stressed, they will exhibit odd behavior and even undergo physical changes. Depending on your child’s age, watch for mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, headaches, trouble focusing, or withdrawal from the people around them. According to KidsHealth.org, younger children may also pick up habits like twirling their hair or sucking their thumb, while older kids may start to bully others, lie, or rebel.
Can I help reduce their stress? According to KidsHealth.org, good nutrition,
feels overwhelmed. Toddlers and young children going to day care or school for the first time may experience separation anxiety due to being apart from their parents. Older kids and teenagers may feel mounting social and academic pressure. Even something as simple as overhearing loved ones arguing or seeing a sad news report can add to a child’s stress levels. Hit the Road There’s always something to do in Memphis! We’re a diverse city perfect for music lovers, foodies, families, and more, but sometimes, escaping from the city for a day is just what we need. Thankfully, we live in the heartland, so we are surrounded by family-friendly destinations no matter which direction we go. Heber Springs, Arkansas Just three hours west of Memphis is an oasis for people of all ages. With cliffs ranging in height from 3–30 feet, this daredevil’s paradise is perfect for those who love the adrenaline rush of jumping into the water and for those who would rather just relax and play on the beach. After a day at the springs, enjoy dinner at one of Heber Springs’ local eateries or explore the historic downtown. Be careful, however — you just might find your day trip turning into a weekend getaway. Tennessee Safari Park There are few places where you can feed giraffes, hold birds, and drive past zebras, primates, and kookaburras, but you can do all that and more at the Tennessee Safari Park in Alamo, Tennessee, just 80 miles south of Memphis.
proper rest, and healthy attention are great ways to help kids manage their stress. Set time aside each day to talk and spend time with your children; talking about worries will reduce or relieve anxieties. If you know about an upcoming stressful situation, like a school exam or a health checkup, prepare your child by studying with them or talking to them about what to expect.
Don’t stop here. For more tools and information regarding stress reduction in children, visit KidsHealth.org or contact your doctor.
THE BEST FAMILY- AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY LOCAL DAY TRIPS
What began as one farming family’s unique collection of animals has transformed into a safari park, petting zoo, and educational area. Visitors of all ages can interact with various animals and learn about conservation efforts. Admission into the park is $16 for adults, $12 for children, and free for children ages 1 and under.
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park
There’s no better place to learn about our connections to the
Mississippi River than at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park. Just 15 miles away from Memphis, the park offers no shortage of fun to be had. With regular educational events, hiking trails, and kayaking opportunities, your family can explore the park and our native wildlife in whichever way you prefer. The best part is that a visit to the park is free!
Visit MemphisTravel.com for more local day trips and things to do in Memphis and to stay updated on any possible closures due to global health concerns.
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Shrimp
Sausage Skewers
These shrimp skewers are a quick way to add some surf and turf to your cookout. Pair them with a vinaigrette salad for a side dish that compliments without overwhelming the main event. INGREDIENTS: •1/2 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined •1/2 lb cooked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces •2 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes •2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil •Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
SAY WHAT?
3 TIPS FOR COMMUNICATING EFFECTIVELY WITH YOUR FORMER SPOUSE Divorce is never easy, especially when it feels like you’re hitting a brick wall when it comes to communicating with your former spouse. Whether you have to stay in touch to coordinate your children’s schedules or communicate over a shared asset, establishing a basis of civil communication is necessary for moving forward. First, establish a good foundation of communication by outlining clear expectations for your continued relationship. What do you want this relationship to look like in the next decade or at your child’s major milestone events? Will communication be done via phone immediately after something happens, through a text, or when one parent drops off the child at the other parent’s home? It’s vital that you come to a common understanding by asking these questions and more before moving forward. A third-party mediator or an attorney can help you establish ground rules for continued communication, too. Next, set this new relationship up for success with shared platforms. Apps like 2Houses, The Family Core, and even Google Calendar combine your schedules and responsibilities into one hub. This is perfect for parents with active children. You can even set up communication directly through these apps, placing all your connections to your ex in one convenient place.
CREOLE SEASONING: •2 tbsp paprika
•1/2 tbsp garlic powder •1/2 tbsp onion powder •1/2 tbsp cayenne or chili powder
•1/4 tbsp dried oregano •1/4 tbsp dried thyme
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat your grill to medium-high. 2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients for creole seasoning. 3. In a large bowl, combine the shrimp, zucchini pieces, and sausage pieces and cover them with the olive oil. 4. Add creole seasoning and mix well until all ingredients are covered. 5. Load up skewers with alternating pieces of shrimp, sausage, and zucchini until they’re full. 6. Grill skewers until shrimp are well cooked (6–8 minutes). Inspired by PaleoLeap.com INSPIRATION “Though no one can go back and make a
If an app isn’t your family’s style, look to your attorney or mediators to help you establish the ground rules and platforms that best suit the communication you must engage with.
Finally, as you communicate, be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Frustrations from your divorce and relationship can boil over into other aspects of your life, and this can make your former spouse’s 15-minute tardiness when dropping off your child seem larger than it is. Keep an open mind in every conversation and maintain a cordial relationship as best you can. Professional counselors and communication experts can help you navigate any troubled waters you cannot seem to overcome, and this form of intervention can be done on your own or with your former partner. At Douglass & Runger, our team wants to provide you and your family with the support and resources you need during your divorce, and we offer guidance through other legal situations, too. Learn more about our practice areas and how we can help you at DouglassRunger.com.
brand new start, anyone can start from
now and make a brand new ending.”
–Carl Bard
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2820 Summer Oaks Drive Bartlett, TN 38134 901-388-5805 www.DouglassRunger.com
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Inside This Issue
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Our Commitment to You Helping Your Child Manage Stress The Best Family- and Budget-Friendly Local Day Trips 3 Tips for Communicating Effectively
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With Your Former Partner Shrimp Sausage Skewers Meet the Woman Who Biked 4,200 Miles in 18 Days
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MEET CYCLING LEGEND LAEL WILCOX The Woman Who Raced 4.200 Miles in 18 Days
Picture the distance between Oregon and Virginia on a U.S. map. Now, picture crossing that distance on a bicycle. Odds are you either can’t imagine it or you conjured up a monthslong slog, but in 2016, ultra-endurance cyclist Lael Wilcox crossed that distance in just 18 days and 10 minutes — the second-fastest time in the history of the Trans Am Bike Race. As hard as it is to believe, the 4,200 mile stretch from Astoria, Oregon, to Yorktown, Virginia, is actually a racecourse. Every June, roughly 50–100 cyclists undertake the journey, pedaling through a total of 10 states. It’s an insane obstacle course of cars, mountains, and weather events that riders go through alone, without required checkpoints or designated rest periods. When Wilcox won the Trans Am in 2016, she became the first woman and the first American ever to do so. According to NPR, the victory came down to a combination of endurance and luck. In the final days of the race, she was in second place behind Steffan Streich when exhaustion
sent him pedaling out of Bumpass, Virginia, in the wrong direction. When the two met on the road at 3 a.m., a panicked Streich turned around and sprinted neck and neck with Wilcox toward the finish. After a few miles, she pulled ahead and won. In response to those who said a woman could never win the Trans Am, Wilcox told NPR, “If you beat ‘em, you beat ‘em. That’s what happens. And then everybody has to change the way they think.”
Perhaps the most impressive thing about Wilcox, even more than her 2016 win, is that she didn’t start cycling until she was 20 years old, when her boyfriend at the time gave her a bike. Since then, she’s competed all over the world, logging a total of 100,000 miles in 35 countries. When she’s isn’t racing, Wilcox encourages teenage girls to try cycling with scholarships and group events. In November 2019, she even starred in “I Just Want to Ride,” a 38-minute film following her quest to win the 2019 Tour Divide Race. To learn more about the film and what makes Wilcox tick, visit LaelWilcox.com.
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