Author: arabeljelliott

I am a freelance writer, community activist and volunteer. A former social worker and child and family counselor with over 15 years of experience in mental and behavioral health. I am also a crochet fanatic and love walking and yoga.

Heading into the Thanksgiving Holiday there is a lot that I am thankful for.

November 18, 2018

My husband, Labor and Constitutional Historian, has explained to me that the holiday has origins completely different from it’s current form and celebration. It makes me wonder how many other holidays are like that? Holidays that were created to distract or divert people rather than honor a particular event to be proud of. Still, I … More Heading into the Thanksgiving Holiday there is a lot that I am thankful for.

Today my country honors Veterans. I am grateful for their service and sad that we still send young men and women to die in war.

November 12, 2018

The second does not diminish the first. St. Augustine said that the purpose of war is peace, I believe that most often those who serve do so with this in their hearts. I will always support them. I will not blindly support governments that use those men and women like cannon fodder, to gain power … More Today my country honors Veterans. I am grateful for their service and sad that we still send young men and women to die in war.

Being a parent is so hard. Mid Term Elections became a manifestation of some of that struggle.

November 7, 2018

I felt like recent outcomes were such a predictor for the world that my children are coming into. It really felt like life and death. Every day I have fear for my children, especially with anti-Semitic and Racist incidents like the ones in Pittsburgh and Kentucky. My son attends Shabbat services on his college campus, … More Being a parent is so hard. Mid Term Elections became a manifestation of some of that struggle.

I was pregnant with my son, 19 years ago, and I woke up in a panic. Nearly screaming out in the night and grabbing my husband.

October 29, 2018

Martin Niemueller was a Pastor in Germany who was initially a Nazi supporter.  He was later imprisoned and died fighting to oppose the Nazi regime. “What is it?” he asked confused. I stammered, “There are people who hate him (we knew at this point that it was a boy), even before he is born they … More I was pregnant with my son, 19 years ago, and I woke up in a panic. Nearly screaming out in the night and grabbing my husband.

I tried to find an appropriate quote but I failed, so it’s just moments when you know that you might have done something right.

October 29, 2018

  Your eldest child contacts you to report on a success they have had, their first words reflect that they were inspired by the success that your youngest child had recently had. Literally, he used the word inspired. He was inspired by his younger sister. He was inspired by her, I was humbled by him. … More I tried to find an appropriate quote but I failed, so it’s just moments when you know that you might have done something right.

My husband has told me some dumb stuff over the 26 years that we have been married. But . . .

October 28, 2018

Mostly he has shared incredibly insightful and productive knowledge that has helped guide and shape the way I see myself, the world I’m in, others who share that world with me and how to operate in that world. I picked him out of thousands, that was my smart move. Also, my profession has helped me … More My husband has told me some dumb stuff over the 26 years that we have been married. But . . .

When I was a young girl my mother had a restaurant for many years. I remember learning so many things there.

October 27, 2018

Like if you chop your finger off then you should put it in ice water and take it to the ER so it can be reattached. (That did happen to my Mom). I also sat atop a large wooden stool, and she would hand me leftover pie dough. Then she instructed me on how to … More When I was a young girl my mother had a restaurant for many years. I remember learning so many things there.

This lady is in many ways my mini me, she is a beast!

October 26, 2018

Seriously look at the starting line face. Behind a beautiful exterior there is also a beautiful interior, like a perfectly and delicately balanced mechanical watch. Every gear in motion, finely detailed, intricate mechanisms syncing, at times wound pretty tight. There was a lot of strategy going through her mind this morning before heading out to … More This lady is in many ways my mini me, she is a beast!