On Monday, our beloved country reached a grave milestone: half a million COVID deaths. From the lens of my day-to-day, the past year has certainly been emotionally difficult, but in the grand scheme of things, I have only glimpsed the gravity of the loss that this pandemic has brought to the people of this nation and across the globe. Although I have known individuals who have fought and lost the battle with COVID-19, I am extremely fortunate to be able to say that those closest to me have remained safe and healthy during this crisis. As such, when I take a step back from my immediate reality and try to process the loss of more than 500,000 American lives to COVID-19, the number is so staggering that I struggle to wrap my mind around it.

Earlier this week, in a message to his parishioners, my priest—Mitch Smith of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, whom I often turn to for inspiration for the KellyGram—offered some sobering perspective. He reminded us that “500,000” is not just a number; each of those individual souls had a name, and they had a story. They had friends and family—loved ones who have been alone in their grief as funeral receptions and gatherings are placed on hold. There are very few of us who do not know the sorrow of losing someone we love; in my case, I have had to say goodbye to my grandparents, then to my parents, and six years ago, to my late wife, Anne. The thought of facing that pain in isolation is simply unbearable, and I mourn for those who have been forced to do so by this pandemic just as I mourn the lives lost to it.

However, Mitch also reminded his readers that, while it is important to stay mindful of the magnitude of loss surrounding this pandemic, we should balance this sadness by finding hope where we can: in the declining numbers of positive COVID cases and hospitalizations, in the growing number of vaccines being administered, and in the coming together of our community to put an end to this nightmare. So, as we mourn lives lost and continue to offer support, comfort, and prayer to those who are grieving, let us also celebrate progress and allow ourselves to feel optimistic that a brighter future awaits.

Earlier this week, I was asked by a long-time acquaintance how Mike Kelly Law Group has continued to survive in South Carolina’s increasingly oversaturated legal market. It was a good question, so I told my friend I’d give it some thought and get back to them. Their theory was that there is simply no way a small law firm like ours could survive—and indeed thrive—in today’s hypercompetitive environment. As we all know, you cannot even turn on the TV these days without seeing three or four consecutive ads by a number of legal players whose names need no introduction!

So, I sat down and considered the question—how has Mike Kelly Law Group been able to do so well in such a competitive field? After much thought, I believe that these principles are the keys to our firm’s success:

1) It’s all about client service;

2) It’s all about the personal touch; and

3) It’s always striving to be the best lawyers and legal staff that we can be.

Ultimately, these are the ingredients to creating a positive client experience, and happy clients pay it forward by recommending Mike Kelly Law Group’s services to others! Historically, the majority of our firm’s clients have learned about us through word-of-mouth referrals, and the same is true today. More recently, Google reviews by satisfied clients have also begun to play an increasingly important role in generating new business and setting us apart from the competition online.

After sufficiently pondering and answering the question before me, I wanted to get down on my knees and thank the Lord above that our phones ring daily and that deserving men and women in need of our services continue to find their way to our doors. I am deeply grateful to our many clients and friends who support and refer others to the firm, and to the talented men and women at Mike Kelly Law Group who dedicate themselves to providing clients with exceptional legal services!

I looked at my weather app yesterday morning and saw that both the Midlands and the Grand Strand—Mike Kelly Law Group’s primary service areas—have rain in the forecast for the next SEVEN consecutive days! WOW! Is it just me, or haven’t we had enough rain for a while?

If our mood was dependent on the weather (which it is not), the days to come could leave us feeling dreary. Instead, this is the time to turn lemons into lemonade! There are other ways to add sunshine and brightness to our lives if we know where to look for them!

For example, folks in Columbia can get creative by picking up one of Studio Cellar’s Take Home Paint Kits or signing up for sip-and-paint classes (virtually or in-person), enjoy an oyster roast this Thursday at The Grand, or find some Zen through a socially-distanced yoga class at The Rooted Community (also available over Zoom!). You can also check out Columbia’s annual Guitar Gala, or play trivia hosted by the Columbia Museum of Art, without leaving the comfort of your home!

For those of you in the Grand Strand, there are plenty of options to choose from—from catching a show at GTS Theatre or The Carolina Opry Theater, to exploring local folklore and history by trolley, to enjoying a four-course dinner for two in the Shark Tunnel at Ripley’s Aquarium!

In spite of the limitations brought on by COVID-19 and the gloomy weather ahead, there are still so many ways to stay active in our great state of South Carolina, and slowly but surely, more opportunities are beginning to open up. Although some might say we are in the metaphorical eye of the hurricane with respect to the pandemic, week by week we are seeing case numbers decline and more vaccines being administered. So let’s stay safe and stay positive, and make the most out of the coming days!

During these cold, dark days of winter, it is easy to find oneself in low spirits; however, I’d like to focus on the reasons to be optimistic right now! The American people, including my fellow South Carolinians, continue to demonstrate incredible resilience as we navigate the uncertainty of this pandemic, and at long last, we’re beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I believe that health is finally on the way!

I’m feeling especially encouraged by the recent ramping-up of vaccine administration. It is incredible to see how many people are volunteering to work at vaccine sites in order to keep the inoculation process moving forward. Better still, the distribution of vaccines to pharmacies beginning next week will make the shot more widely available and further speed things along. We are steadily moving in the direction of normalcy!

On a personal note, I will be eligible to receive the vaccine beginning Monday, and you can bet I’ll be signing up for an appointment right away! Still, I know that it will be months before the shot becomes available to everyone who wishes to receive it. Please continue to pray for the swift administration of vaccines and the health and safety of all during this unprecedented time! We will get through this together!

So far, in just the first few month of 2021, we have seen four rather serious motor vehicle collisions right outside the Mike Kelly Law Group’s Columbia office at the intersection of Taylor and Huger Streets. Each of them resulted in injuries, and police, fire, and, emergency vehicles were called to the scene. Sadly, it appeared that all four accidents could have been avoided had the drivers simply slowed down and obeyed traffic signals.

My employees and I are well aware that, when people exit 126 onto Huger, they drive as if they’re on a racetrack. Working with accident victims on a daily basis also means that we are all too familiar with the dangers and consequences associated with this sort of reckless driving. Even so, witnessing these recent collisions—one of which ended with a vehicle hitting the building in which our Columbia office is located—was shocking, and it re-emphasized in my mind just how perilous our roadways can be. I’m sharing this story with you all in hopes that it may serve as a reminder of the importance of driving defensively and following the rules of the road. Simply taking a moment to look both ways before proceeding through a green light or intersection can be a lifesaver—literally! Please be careful out there, and drive attentively!

As some of you may know, I am a political science graduate and a lifelong follower of political happenings on a local, state, and national level; however, I believe that the KellyGram should be a neutral platform, and I generally try to avoid discussing my own political views. With that in mind, I want to comment briefly on Wednesday’s inauguration. Regardless of the political party of an incoming president, I have always taken a great interest in inaugurations as a hallmark of American democracy—the peaceful transition of power of the leadership of the greatest nation in the world.

The theme of Wednesday’s inauguration was unity and respect for our country, and it came through loud and clear from Republicans and Democrats alike (and, of course, from Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Garth Brooks, and Amanda Gorman!). Following recent disturbing events in our nation, the ceremony reaffirmed my faith in America. The coming together of leaders from both sides of the aisle to honor and uphold the democratic process served as a powerful reminder that partisanship does not define us, nor should it divide us. Instead, we must agree to disagree and respect one another. After all, at the end of the day, we share a sacred common ground that unifies us: we are Americans.

Monday marks the first holiday of 2021, and it is one of particular importance: a solemn remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his heroic contributions to the advancement of civil rights in our country. I am old enough to remember watching Dr. King deliver his “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963, and each year on MLK Day, I take time to reflect on and celebrate the progress our nation has made since that day toward fulfilling Dr. King’s dream.

Over the past year, events in this country have made it abundantly clear that today’s America is a far cry from that of which Dr. King dreamed. At the same time, however, it has been a year of growth in that the silence surrounding systemic racism in our country has been broken and, consequently, the push for positive change in the direction of racial equality and justice has gained widespread momentum.

We still have a long way to go and much work to do before realizing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream, but this year, I feel a renewed sense of hope in that possibility. And, after the events of the past 12 months, it seems befitting that this year’s observance of MLK Day will be followed by a momentous event: the swearing-in of Reverend Raphael Warnock—the current pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Dr. King was baptized, ordained, and served as co-pastor with his father—to the United States Senate, making him the first Black senator from Georgia.

Mike Kelly Law Group will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. I encourage my team, as well as my readers, to honor Dr. King’s legacy by taking time to reflect on the ways in which we can contribute to the advancement of equal rights in our country. More importantly, let us honor this national hero—and the American people—every day by being more active and engaged in the advocacy of justice for all people.

Only the Lord knows how trying 2020 was for most of us here on Earth! I have been around the sun more times than I care to admit, and I feel SOOO hopeful and confident that this year will be better than the last! I have set personal and business goals for 2021, as I do every year, and they include: focusing on personal health and happiness, spending more time with my family, exercising more, and doing the best job ever for my clients! I tell people all the time that may not be the best lawyer in South Carolina, but I’m the best lawyer Mike Kelly has ever been!

To my KellyGram readers, I pray that your 2021 is off to a great start and only gets better from here!

Needless to say, 2020 has been trying for all of us in many respects, and at long last, we are on the cusp of the New Year! Perhaps it’s the eternal optimist in me, but I am full of hope and positivity going into 2021! I know that the first few months of the coming year will be difficult as we continue to navigate life in the time of COVID-19; we must remain vigilant and be persistent in practicing safe behavior until the pandemic is behind us. That being said, with a vaccine now in circulation, I am hopeful that we will begin resuming a more “normal” way of life as early as this spring!

Even though 2020 has been an unbelievably challenging year, I can truly say that I have never been more thankful for my blessings. After the hardships this year brought, I now cherish my relationships with my family, friends, and clients more than ever before. I am also deeply grateful for the Mike Kelly Law Group team, whose hard work and dedication kept the firm open for business and thriving during this unprecedented time. All in all, in spite of all of the trials and tribulations of 2020, I feel more blessed and fulfilled today than I did at the start of the year!

I look forward to entering 2021 with a fresh perspective and a heart full of gratitude, and I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!

Christmas is upon us, and as with most holidays in 2020, the way we celebrate this year will be very different than the traditions we’re accustomed to. As we continue to see record numbers of COVID-19 cases in South Carolina and across the United States, it’s more necessary than ever to take precautions to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Personally, I’ll be joining my church’s Christmas Eve service virtually this year and will spend Christmas Day with only a few very close family members (including my precious grandchild!).

That being said, while this Christmas will be unlike any other in my lifetime, the holiday is still as meaningful as ever. The Christmas miracle overwhelms me with joy and gratitude, and the season of Advent is the time when I reflect most on my life and my enormous blessings. Even during this unprecedented time, I know without question that my cup truly runneth over.

Merry Christmas, my friends, and God bless!