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Authors: Jim Stovall
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wonderful memories I carried with me, and my mind drifted back to Red Stevens.
I had just gotten out of law school and opened my office. The sign on the door read, Hamilton and Associates. The Associates part was more of a wish than a reality, as I spent the majority of each day by myself.
One day, I heard the bell on the outer door ring. I knew that my part-time secretary had already left for the day, so I got up and rushed out to see who it was. There stood a formidable man I later learned was Red Stevens. He told me that he was going to be the biggest oil man and the biggest cattleman in Texas, and he was looking for a good lawyer. He said that he had called the best law school in America and learned that I had graduated first in my class the previous spring.
He just smiled that huge smile I came to know and love, and boomed, “So I thought the best lawyer in the world and the best oil man and cattleman in the world ought to get together.”
It didn’t seem to bother either of us that I was a lawyer fresh out of law school with no clients, and he was an oil man and a cattleman without any oil or cattle. It began that simply and grew into a longtime professional and personal relationship.
My thoughts of Red were interrupted when Miss Hastings stuck her head into my office and said that Jason Stevens was waiting for us in the conference room.
Red appeared on the video screen and said, “Well, Jason, you’ve made it through six months of this twelve-month project. I want to remind you that you’ve come a long way, but you have a long way to go, and if at any point your attitude or your conduct does not meet Mr. Hamilton’s expectations, we will end this journey immediately, and you will not receive the ultimate gift, which is the bequest I have left to you in my will.
“This month, you are going to learn about the gift of laughter. The gift of laughter I want you to learn about is not a comedian in a nightclub or a funny movie. It is the ability to look at yourself, your problems, and life in general, and just laugh. Many people live unhappy lives because they take things too seriously. I hope you have learned in the last six months that there are things in life to be serious about and to treasure, but life without laughter is not worth living.
“This month, I want you to go out and find one example of a person who is experiencing difficulties or challenges in his or her life but who maintains the ability to laugh. If a person can laugh in the face of adversity, that individual will be happy throughout life.
“At the end of the month, you will report to Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings about the individual you have found and what you have learned from him or her about the gift of laughter.”
Red Stevens began laughing and said, “Someday, Jason, you will have to ask Ted to tell you about some of the laughable situations we got ourselves into in the olden days.” As Red continued laughing to himself, the screen went black.
Jason asked, “What is he talking about, Mr. Hamilton?”
I smiled and replied, “That would, indeed, be for another time and another place, but for now, young man, it is time for you to get serious about the gift of laughter.”
At that, Miss Hastings walked Jason out of the office.
Our firm’s private investigator, Reggie Turner, discreetly followed Jason throughout the month. Reggie reported that Jason seemed to be going about his normal routine and did not appear to be showing any outward signs of exploring the gift of laughter.
On the last day of the month, Miss Hastings buzzed me to say that Jason had called and asked if he could stop by in the afternoon. I told her that would be fine, and she let me know that Jason had informed her he would be bringing someone with him.
At the appointed hour, Miss Hastings escorted Jason into my office along with another young man who was obviously blind. He wore dark glasses and carried a white cane. Miss Hastings seemed
I had just gotten out of law school and opened my office. The sign on the door read, Hamilton and Associates. The Associates part was more of a wish than a reality, as I spent the majority of each day by myself.
One day, I heard the bell on the outer door ring. I knew that my part-time secretary had already left for the day, so I got up and rushed out to see who it was. There stood a formidable man I later learned was Red Stevens. He told me that he was going to be the biggest oil man and the biggest cattleman in Texas, and he was looking for a good lawyer. He said that he had called the best law school in America and learned that I had graduated first in my class the previous spring.
He just smiled that huge smile I came to know and love, and boomed, “So I thought the best lawyer in the world and the best oil man and cattleman in the world ought to get together.”
It didn’t seem to bother either of us that I was a lawyer fresh out of law school with no clients, and he was an oil man and a cattleman without any oil or cattle. It began that simply and grew into a longtime professional and personal relationship.
My thoughts of Red were interrupted when Miss Hastings stuck her head into my office and said that Jason Stevens was waiting for us in the conference room.
Red appeared on the video screen and said, “Well, Jason, you’ve made it through six months of this twelve-month project. I want to remind you that you’ve come a long way, but you have a long way to go, and if at any point your attitude or your conduct does not meet Mr. Hamilton’s expectations, we will end this journey immediately, and you will not receive the ultimate gift, which is the bequest I have left to you in my will.
“This month, you are going to learn about the gift of laughter. The gift of laughter I want you to learn about is not a comedian in a nightclub or a funny movie. It is the ability to look at yourself, your problems, and life in general, and just laugh. Many people live unhappy lives because they take things too seriously. I hope you have learned in the last six months that there are things in life to be serious about and to treasure, but life without laughter is not worth living.
“This month, I want you to go out and find one example of a person who is experiencing difficulties or challenges in his or her life but who maintains the ability to laugh. If a person can laugh in the face of adversity, that individual will be happy throughout life.
“At the end of the month, you will report to Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings about the individual you have found and what you have learned from him or her about the gift of laughter.”
Red Stevens began laughing and said, “Someday, Jason, you will have to ask Ted to tell you about some of the laughable situations we got ourselves into in the olden days.” As Red continued laughing to himself, the screen went black.
Jason asked, “What is he talking about, Mr. Hamilton?”
I smiled and replied, “That would, indeed, be for another time and another place, but for now, young man, it is time for you to get serious about the gift of laughter.”
At that, Miss Hastings walked Jason out of the office.
Our firm’s private investigator, Reggie Turner, discreetly followed Jason throughout the month. Reggie reported that Jason seemed to be going about his normal routine and did not appear to be showing any outward signs of exploring the gift of laughter.
On the last day of the month, Miss Hastings buzzed me to say that Jason had called and asked if he could stop by in the afternoon. I told her that would be fine, and she let me know that Jason had informed her he would be bringing someone with him.
At the appointed hour, Miss Hastings escorted Jason into my office along with another young man who was obviously blind. He wore dark glasses and carried a white cane. Miss Hastings seemed
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