Bernards Ridge Edition Sept/Oct/Nov 2019

PAGE 10 THE BERNARDS-RIDGE CONNECTION SEPT/OCT/NOV 2019 Being a Humanitarian By: Ellyn Mantell Looking ahead to college meant deciding what I wanted to do with my life...that looming question, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” I was quite young when I applied to colleges, having started school in a town where the cutoff date for beginning Kindergarten was December 31st. Having a December birthday meant starting about as young as one could possibly start, and playing catch up as I went along. I was a tall child, which I know brings a laugh to all who know me...I was the tallest one in the entire 6th grade and had the privilege of closing the auditorium door after all of us “graduating” to Junior High, entered the auditorium. By High School my genetics put me in the front row in the graduation photo taken in front of the building. I was destined to be small, but I was deter- mined to be powerful. I wasn’t quite certain at that time what that meant, but I had drive. College and my master’s program prepared me very well for my career as a Speech Pathologist and I was thrilled to service patients from so many walks of life. In fact, I raised my two daughters as an “after school activi- ty” and was proud to be a working mom when so few were. But some- thing was missing, and it became clear to me that I wanted to interact with people, and my career choice did not allow that. I was the facilitator for speech and language, and that meant staying very close to a script. At that time, those with public speaking skills, which I had honed, were entering the training world, and my love of fashion and style, as well as my interest in educating and teaching, led me to my role as a Trainer for Macy’s, Northeast. It was a wonderfully exciting world, and I loved my opportuni- ties, but the travel took its toll on my family, and eventually, I had to admit I was pushed into the proverbial corner where so many working moms find themselves...family first, hands down, family first! Of course, today, women have so many more options than I did at that time, but then again, had it not been for my generation, the needle would not have moved very far for women. There were many other work experiences after Macy’s, Northeast, but they were jobs. Career is another world, and I had not found my stride. Most disappointingly, I hadn’t found my passion, either. I was chilled by my lack of ability to use my powerful determination to make a difference, and although I did not miss the one-on-one of doing therapy, I missed having an identity. And then my health took a negative turn, and put me on the most remark- able road, one which I am so grateful to traverse. Many of you know I have an ostomy (specifically, an ileostomy, which diverts stool directly from the small intestine to a bag, or pouch, as we refer to it) and I treasure my opportunity to assist other ostomates as they grow accustomed to their new anatomy. Visiting in local hospitals offers me the opportunity to guide in a way that is positive and motivating. Life will be fine...Normal will look different...but empowerment is within reach, because that is the challenge with which we are faced. The mountain we climb is, at times, harder than at other times, but climbing it is well worth the effort. I embrace being a Humanitarian, one who is concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare. This “career” I now have pays dividends far more valuable than any I have ever experienced. And since I am at a time in my life when most are retired, I am flourishing with the knowledge that just as my generation moved the needle for women in the work world, those of us at a certain age can still move the needle by being dynamic, determined, powerful, resourceful, loving and giving. Spectacular Fur Trimmed Cashmere, Angora, Wool, Alpaca Shawls, Wraps, Capes and Vests Furs by Guarino, Inc. 190 US Highway 22 • Green Brook, NJ 08812 • 732-968-8700 www.fursbyguarino.com Call for Fall Hours of Operation Furs - Leathers - Shearling - Cloth - Accessories Pre-Season Prices for a Limited Time Only! Meet with our in-house designers for expert fur remodels & restyles theconnectionsnj.com