Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: I did it!
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • December 31, 2020 •Writers in Residence
Welcome to my final blog for Writers in Residence of 2020! I did it! As my Writers in Residence blog comes to an end, I can’t be prouder of myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone and blogged! I’m officially a blogger. Correction: a Ms. JD blogger. I have truly enjoyed this journey and I love my Ms. JD family! I have shared with you how I juggle wearing many hats, how it affects my daily life and how my A-type personality can be both a blessing and a curse. I have shared some of my personal experiences regarding my…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: Find reasons to be happy!
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • December 18, 2020 •Writers in Residence
Life might feel like it’s in shambles right now. At least it did for me, I’ve noticed, there were situations that made me unhappy. Bumps were appearing on my face due to whatever reason, my father’s health seemed to be declining, COVID-19 numbers raced to an all-time high, I hadn’t figured out what God had called me to do, I have to “re-learn” my best friend after she survived from being declared brain dead, my clients were setting unrealistic expectations. Did I mention my daughter got caught watching her favorite YouTubers all hours of the morning, on school nights? I…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: COVID hit home – You should VOTE!
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • October 31, 2020 •Writers in Residence
My nose is bleeding profusely. My white N95 mask is soaked with blood. How did this happen? Let’s rewind back to my lonely days. OK, I haven’t been lonely. I simply miss my family. I have a nice size immediate family, five brother and five sisters. It’s an unfamiliar territory when I’m unable to hug my siblings, give my mom and dad cheek kisses, or attend family gatherings. I have become content with the COVID reality of going from seeing my family at least once a week to not seeing my family for weeks at a time. After a string of events that I did not partake in, I found myself having to go to the health department to…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: Trials have resumed, but not so fast!
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • October 17, 2020 •Writers in Residence
On September 25, 2020, Judge Byrn, the Presiding Judge of Jackson County issued an immediate released that delayed trials in the 16th Judicial Circuit Court. Since March of 2020, there had been no jury trials in the Jackson County Courthouse downtown. October 5, 2020 was scheduled as the official date for trials to resume. Yes, you read that correctly, six whole months without jury trials in one of the busiest counties for prosecution in the U.S. However, Judge Byrn had previously held a Town Hall meeting informing the public that if someone in the courtroom tested positive for COVID-19, the courthouse…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: The VP looks like me!
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • August 30, 2020 •Writers in Residence
Senator of California, Kamala Harris, will be the first Black woman and the first Asian American to appear on a major-party ticket—the Democratic presidential ticket. On August 11, 2020, Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, announced Kamala as his running mate for Vice President. There is much to be said about Kamala, but what I can say, is that I am truly proud to be able to watch a Democratic National Convention that depicts a woman of color as the Vice-Presidential candidate for the 2020 election. What’s disturbing to me is that I see people that look just like Kamala, diminishing and…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: Take it one day at a time.
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • July 31, 2020 •Writers in Residence
It feels like it was just yesterday when I received an email from my daughters’ school mid-March about her transitioning to online schooling. Now, we’re back to square one. On July 20, 2020, the Governor of Kansas, Laura Kelly, shared the details of Executive Order #20-58. One of the most important sections in this order is the delaying of schools from starting until after September 8, 2020: Labor Day weekend. The order could only be signed if the Kansas Board of Education voted to approve the order. Governor Kelly’s reasoning behind the order was to give districts more time to take precautions against spreading COVID-19. Unfortunately, the Board failed to reach an agreement on the order. However, schools…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: CHANGE.
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • June 30, 2020 •Writers in Residence
June 24, 2020 was my first day back in the courtroom since March 13, 2020. As I walked to the courthouse, I saw my client across the street as he yelled “Ms. Ellison, Ms. Ellison, wait up! Wait for me!” Honestly, I instantly felt apprehensive due to COVID-19. How will I greet him? Sometimes I start with a handshake or a fist bump, coupled with a smile. How will I tell him to stay six feet apart from me? Will he be offended? What are his thoughts about the pandemic? Is he taking it seriously? Yes, these are thoughts that ran through…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all. Being black just got harder . . . .
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • May 30, 2020 •Writers in Residence
In the midst of a pandemic, we’re still being murdered, subject to racism, unjustly accused of violent acts . . . and the list, distastefully, continues. There’s one hat that I can never discard, and that’s being black. I’m a mother of a young black boy, a daughter of a black father and a sister to black brothers. As tensions rise surrounded as a result of the injustice, lack of human decency, brutality and racism, there is no escaping my reality. There are times when I feel hopeless. With tears of fear running down my face, I shouldn’t have to…
Am I wearing too many hats? Learning how to juggle it all: Don’t give up!
By Crystal Elaine Ellison • May 01, 2020 •Writers in Residence
Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. George Edward Woodberry It’s undeniable that COVID-19 has forced us all to celebrate, worship, create and work differently. That’s OK, because we have discovered new and creative ways to adapt than we could’ve ever imagined. We’re having to adapt to many changes and maneuver in a world full of uncertainties. Change and uncertainty can make us feel overwhelmed, stressed and anxious. We may start to develop thoughts in our heads that aren’t positive. Please know that you are not alone. You’d be surprised at…