News-Record.com

As he promised, Lawrence McSwain called today to let me know why he's decided to retire after 22 years as a Guilford County District Court judge.

In one sad word: Cancer.

Actually, that's an old story. McSwain, 61, was diagnosed with prostate cancer more than 10 years ago. He underwent surgery and treatment and, although he's responded well, the cancer has never been in remission.

McSwain takes a mild cancer suppression medication, which creates few side effects. Recently, however, his doctor has advised him this particular medication may be effective for only another two or three years. Moving to a stronger medication might limit his activities.

McSwain loves to travel and has a strong interest in the Old West. With a desire to do more traveling, he decided, "Now might be the time to do that."

His plans include a visit to Brownsville, Texas, where he wants to research the Brownsville Affair involving Buffalo Soldiers in 1906.

The judge added that he feels well and that he expects his doctors "will keep me going for a long time." His concern is for quality of life.

In that regard, he's making the right decision. McSwain is an outstanding judge who will be sorely missed when he completes his term at the end of the year, but work is never THAT important..

His accomplishments on the bench would take too long to recount here, but the former chief judge recalls a successful push several years ago to reduce the number of old cases by about 10,000. The effort speeded up the work flow in the courthouse. He also acted as an intermediary between the Sheriff's Office and the High Point and Greensboro police departments to start a warrant repository -- a great tool for law enforcement in Guilford County.

He's more than earned the chance to pursue his own interests while he can.

Not that he won't still give to others. Currently, he mentors 10 young men at Western Guilford High School -- all of whom are capable of graduating, he said, but have behavioral issues that could prevent that.

He takes them out to eat or to the movies, or they just "talk about things they need to know to make good, wise decisions."

Talk about learning from an expert.

After he retires, he said, he'd like to work with more young men at more schools. What an impact he'll have.

I wish him many years of good health in retirement.