Name: Cathy Gray Maiden: Burriss

Personal narrative!

I don't even know where to begin.  Gary and I are still married.  It will be 39 years in December.  Our daughter, Abbey, is separated from her husband, and lives in upstate New York with her son, Aiden (4).  Our son, Jacob, lives in Philadelphia with his second wife, Abby, and their brand new baby girl, Elizabeth Catherine, born August 8.  He also has joint custody of his three children from his first marriage, India (8), Jackson (6), and Maison (4).
My mother is healthy and alert and living by herself in an apartment just 5 blocks from our home in Narberth, PA.  She is currently recovering from having broken both her hips in July.  Her stubbornness and independent spirit has served her well in her recuperation. Perhaps I get my stubbornness from her - or should I say my determination.  Oh ok, stubbornness.
I have a private psychotherapy practice and teach at the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Philadelphia.  This summer I taught at the summer residential training program in Italy.  It was my first time living and traveling in Europe.  I loved it.  I adore what I am doing and can't imagine retiring any time soon, although I would like to figure out a way to travel more.
I am an avid reader, write some professionally and as well as just for fun, and study Ken Wilbur and other modern philosophers with a small group I started. Gary and I dance in an improvisational dance workshop. He attends weekly, I go whenever my schedule allows.  About once a year we dance with them in week long workshop at the Zen Center in Crestone, Colorado or in other locations. I am a part of a book group and a women's group. In both groups I enjoy sharing with other women thoughts about out lives and the world, and exploring ways to support each other and continue to expand the range of what is possible for each of us. I love to take long walks and to sit and meditate in the woods, to play with my grandchildren, to sit on our back deck and drink coffee in the mornings, to explore ideas and share my life with friends, and to entertain, particularly if I get to cook.  I recently began singing again with a large chorus (110+) at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. My life is richly tectured and fulfilling, sometimes challenging and painful. At 58 I am clearer about what really matters to me and feel more secure and comfortable with who I am. 

A Loveland memory from 1950/60 era!
Many of my memories are kind of fuzzy, but others are like little snapshots of moments that remain vivid and clear.  I remember singing with the dance band during an assembly and at one point forgetting the words to the song, continuing to move my mouth, feeling mortified and hoping that people would think that there was something wrong with the microphone.  I remember the fun of practicing and anticipation of Rag Day skits and the discomfort I felt in the way in which they created in-groups and out-groups. I think often of Miss E. and the amazing choral experience she provided me. I remember Latin class, but nothing that was taught there. I remember writing a play together with Marlene Swanson and thoroughly enjoying the creative collaboration.  I remember myself as reserved and serious, not often allowing the passion and playfulness to be evident, nor the times of fear, hurt or sense of aloneness.  As I write this, I wonder how others saw me.  I am looking forward to being with you and hearing about your lives now, and sharing our memories of Loveland.