Jamie Brown has been with me for 27 years and I have been blessed every day since she said she would take the job! She married her husband John Brown 28 years ago, so John and I are two very lucky people to have Jamie at the center point of our lives taking care of us. Jamie has such a nurturing disposition and quite simply does everything, not only for me, but for the law firm! She is our longest serving employee in the firm having worn many hats over the years. In addition to putting up with me, doing dictation, taking countless new caller intake phone calls, scheduling appointments, including social events, she also works with the litigation team in a scheduling capacity. Jamie’s mother was a former legal secretary for 30 years so to be an amazing legal assistant was literally in her DNA. Outside of her daily duties and responsibilities with the firm, Jamie is also a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and daughter!

We are all incredibly lucky to have Jamie as part of the Mike Kelly Law Group and I am even more blessed to have her as a part of my personal family for many years. Thank you, Jamie, for your dedication in taking care of me, my family, and our firm! You do a stellar job!

 

Situated midway between Columbia and Myrtle Beach (my two homes) is something that puts the truck stops of America to shame – Buc-ee’s. My hat goes off to the person that developed Buc-ee’s; the most wonderful and majestic road stop ever! When people ask me what’s so special about Buc-cee’s, my standard reply is, “you just have to go there, I cannot explain it!” The nearest Buc-ee’s is at Exit 170 on Interstate 95 on the way to the beach. If you want a smoker or gas grill, you can go there. If you want a deer stand, you can go there. If you want the best snacks, you can go there. If you want brisket, pulled pork BBQ, chicken sandwiches, handhelds, then go there. If you want the best homemade beef jerky and fudge, go there. If you want apparel, gifts for the grandkids, in-laws, significant others, or friends, go there. Buc-ee’s is currently situated in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina. I highly recommend Buc-ee’s to anyone, but if you are an over-the-road trucker, forget it, they do not allow 18-wheelers! Whoever thought of Buc-ee’s in a genius and a billionaire!

 

Having just experienced a wonderful Easter, I sit here reflecting on all the exciting things that occur in South Carolina in the Springtime. First, the weather is beautiful, the lawns are greening up, the golf courses are getting in shape (my favorite), and we are starting to embark on Spring Festivals. There are endless activities to enjoy throughout both my hometowns of Columbia and Myrtle Beach. Last night for example, I attended the Loading the Dock concert at the Township Auditorium featuring The Tams and it was a great outdoor experience. These festivals in Columbia and Myrtle Beach will be continuously operating almost seven days a week so take advantage of them and enjoy life to its fullest as I plan to do! I love living in South Carolina!

 

This past Sunday the Christian world entered Holy week and we celebrated at my home church St. Martins-in-the Fields. Christmas and Easter are two of my favorite times of the year and if I had to pick one over the other it would be quite difficult. This KellyGram is going out on Thursday this week rather than the usual Friday because our office will follow its tradition of being closed in respect of Good Friday. Our service at my church will be at noon on Friday and Lord willing we will be there.

The Easter story from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday is quite simply amazing and should always be celebrated as the most holy in the church year.

We couple Easter with the Masters at Augusta National this weekend and it will be quite memorable. My favorite golfer from Irmo, South Carolina Dustin Johnson will be competing, and so I say Happy Easter to all and go, DJ!

 

The bedrock of the Mike Kelly Law Group is not me but our employees. I would like to kick off a monthly series of highlighting our amazing employees. First up, our Legal Administrator, Amanda Miller Swearingen. Amanda has been with me for 24 years and elevated herself from being a very young employee to being the Chief Operating Officer of the Mike Kelly Law Group with offices in Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Winnsboro, South Carolina. She quite simply does everything for the firm from managing its finances, serving as the HR director as well as being involved in marketing, and maintaining my personal finances.

Amanda has endless talents which are indispensable to the Mike Kelly Law Group however she REALLY excels at being a mother. She cares for her two children, Kristi and Hayden with unconditional love and support. It is truly an amazing thing! I remember when her son Hayden was born, and I was at the hospital within hours to visit! Funny enough, not long after I arrived, I looked over and saw Amanda was on the phone working on a few tasks for the firm! She is such a great example of a woman who can excel at being a mother and embrace a thriving career.

Thank you, Amanda, for all you do for us at the Mike Kelly Law Group. I remain indebted to you for your service to MKLG and the Kelly family!

 

Thank you to all the long-suffering readers of the KellyGram for the last 6 years! The list of readers has thankfully grown over the years, and I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for those that read my thoughts each Friday!

Selecting the topics is definitely not a science, but intuitive and sometimes random. I do not try to make it overly legal, political or tell my readers how great the Mike Kelly Law Group is because I am sure no one wants to read that any more than they want to see the constant pounding of law firm commercials on your TV sets!

I try to weave in a little information about the legal process in our areas of practice and give you legal updates when there are new developments, but otherwise try to keep it light and uplifting.

I always put my biggest cheerleader hat on when I talk about how great it is to live in the state of South Carolina, especially in the communities in which we practice. I also try to brag about my employees, my children, and my grandchild. But since you all know that I am not clairvoyant or brilliant, please send me your topics you would like covered when one comes to mind. In the meantime, I will continue to speak on things I feel are remotely interesting each and every Friday!

 

Today I want to tell my readers what a joy it is to have a grandchild. I am biased, but my bundle of love is the cutest, sweetest, and most intelligent 5-year-old red-headed girl running around the City of Columbia. I had the pleasure of taking her out to dinner on Monday night, March 13th (her actual Birthdate) and we had a great time with gifts, a good meal and lots of love and laughter. I can honestly say she likely has more Buc-ee’s paraphernalia than any 5-year-old in this town! She also received a wolf sleeping bag that she was crazy about and will be taking with her on her next sleepover. Seriously, before I had a grandchild, I had heard but never knew what an absolute pleasure and blessing they are and all the people that told me this were right! I hope each and every one of you will be able to experience having a grandchild at some point in your life. I know mine has a major part of my heart!

 

On the subject of all things I love about Myrtle Beach, I really enjoy going to the Comedy Cabana off North Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. It is family-owned business with a wonderful and intimate venue, and fantastic talent! I went to a show last week, and the performers were so funny and entertaining. They made me laugh hysterically for a solid two hours. LOL!!! As they say, laughter is the best medicine and that is very true. Jobs (like mine) and life in general can be quite stressful at times, and laughter is one of the best ways to uplift your spirits. If you are ever at the beach, book reservations for Comedy Cabana. You will not be disappointed!

 

The eyes of the running world will be centered on my second home of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, this Saturday! This weekend will be full of events and festivities surrounding the Family Fun Run and two other Marathons in Myrtle Beach. On Saturday thousands of racers will be on display and the weather will be beautiful for running. There will be a Family Fun Run at the Hangout at Broadway at the Beach, then the Full and Half marathons, as well as a 5k race that will take place on Robert Grissom Parkway. This town will be packed to the gills with racers and their families and friends cheering them on. Expect a good time to be had by all and once the race is done there will be a huge post-race party at the Pelican’s Ballpark. If you happen to be in Myrtle this weekend, come out and enjoy all the excitement!

 

February is a very special time of year because we are able to recognize and celebrate Black History Month. Black History Month is a time to honor the achievements of African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.

I grew up in a segregated small town in Virginia that was 50/50 in terms of white and African American racial composition. I attended a segregated school and then during my senior year, Judge Robert H. Merhige, Jr. issued a Federal Court Order for complete desegregation. I witnessed the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s and 1970s and I have nothing but respect for the African American community. The leaders of the community have a special place in my heart, and I respect their persistence in their pursuit for justice and equality.

The Mike Kelly Law Group honors Black History Month and may we continue the progress of paving a way for a more just future.