FEATURES

Footprints on her Shoulders...

Wednesday, 23 March 2011 05:00

Going Off Course - Coon Rapids triathlete Jill Ellenbecker has two bright and beautiful daughters. Abby is 8. Olivia is 10.

The girls are doomed. Doomed to be good citizens, true friends and dedicated to personal growth. And doomed to be good partners and parents, just like their mom and dad. One day their children will stand on their shoulders, just as they had stood on Jill's and John's.

Jill does not have an employer right now but she has a vitally important job. She's a Shoulder Provider. On the surface the job description includes chauffeuring and soccer momming and nutrition planning and playground monitoring; stuff like that.

Looking deeper we hear talking. Lots of talking. Sharing and guiding talking. And teaching and mentoring and providing safety.

It's enriching work for all involved. And it broadens and strengthens shoulders, making them easy for children to stand on....

Here's some more stuff about dedicated parent, former ice cream schlepper, technologically challenged, loud potato chip cruncher, Jill Ellenbecker:

Name - Jill Ellenbecker (Photo L- Jill with husband and daughters in one of the older neighborhoods in Coon Rapids.)

Age-38

Where you live now-Coon Rapids

Where were you born- Born and grew up in Stillwater, MN

Education- University of MN, Twin Cities

Degrees- BS-Accounting

Occupation- Soccer Mom and chauffeur to two busy girls, part-time playground monitor

Former Occupations- Financial Analyst, teller at a dog racing track, ice cream server

Family- Husband, John and daughters Olivia (10) and Abby (8)

Anything I wish I could change about myself- I want to become more in touch with technology. I don