Janet Murray:
CLASS OF 1981
Park Hill High SchoolClass of 1981
Kansas city, MO
Janet's Story
I have been married for 27 years to Greg Murray. We have 2 children. Brian is 23 and graduated from Truman State University May. Hope is 19 and going to Maple Woods Community College. Greg, is an electrician and works for American Airlines. We recently found out he is being laid off, once again. We have decided to transfer to the Dallas/Ft. Worth TX area. We have to wait for verification on this at the end of July. It looks like we will be leaving the kids here in Missouri. We live in Smithville, MO right now.
I work for Citigroup in customer service. The benefits are great, I don't take home a lot of stress and I love the people I work with. I am currently working a 4 day work week and love the 3 days off. Leaving the stress at work is the key for me. As I get older the 401K is much more important to me than ever before. I am hoping my 401k makes it through our current financial crisis.
The best memories I have from school are of my friends. We seemed to find a way to have fun. Carrie Stanley was always so funny. She cracked me up. Lisa Stoudt was very sweet, smart and fun to hang out with. Denise Stephens and I met when we took dance lessons together in grade school. I was happy to reconnect with her when we got to High School. Denise was always quiet, but she was hysterical. I remember sitting up late at night and doing imitations of comedians with her. I'm sure I am forgetting people I shouldn't.
It is interesting when I connect with someone I went to school with from Kindergarten all the way through High School. I spoke with Jim Schank not long ago, and we both agreed that growing up in Platte Ridge subdivision was nice. We had great neighbors and plenty of other kids to hang out with. My family moved to Blair Heights when I was in Junior High. I ran into Kim Bramble a few months ago. She looked great and was every bit as friendly as I remembered. It is cool to catch up. She has 2 boys close to the same age as my children. I have really enjoyed hearing from those of you on classmates.com.
Mr. Stuart encouraged me to write. He was interesting and I loved literature. He told me that if I didn't become a professional writer it would be a waste of talent. I found it hard to believe that I could make a livin...Expand for more
g doing that. I loved to write. It was nice to have a teacher who took an interest in me.
Recently I wrote a poem that is being recorded as a rap song. Never in a million years did I think I would write rap lyrics. It is funny how this kind of thing happens. It is very political, just like I am.
I am passionate about civil rights and preserving the constitution. Being involved in community activism and expressing my views is fulfilling. I don't think that is necessarily a radical endeavor. I have to giggle a bit when I hear 'card carrying member of the ACLU' being used in the context of an insult. My own Dad called me a "left wing, bleeding heart liberal", I said "Thank you". That was the end of his rant. Greg High (class of '82) and I exchanged emails throughout the campaign season this year debating one another. I love debating someone with an intelligent opinion. I think it is necessary to have our checks and balances. That's what life is about isn't it? We all have to maintain a certain balance and keep our minds open to change. Look at what is going on right now in California and all over the country. Is marriage a natural right; a religious sacrament; or a contractual agreement between 2 consenting adults? Is this battle over proposition 8 legal? Is this something that is a matter of the separation of church and state? I recently did a satirical editorial on 90.1FM KKFI. I have the MP3 on my website: janetrmurray.com
In grade school and Junior High I was really into sports. I loved track and basketball. Field Day was always one of my favorite school events. I was always the kid that loved Gym class, Art and English. I am grateful for the years I could run, dance and play basketball. I have MS and those memories are precious now. I guess we all miss our youthful energy eventually.
High School was one of the most awkward and miserable times of my life. I try to remember the good times and learn from my mistakes. The things I regret are the things I didn't do out of fear rather than the mistakes I made. I really wanted to ask for help with algebra but I was too embarrassed. That was my first experience with being lost in a subject at school. Thankfully I have learned that it is better to fail than never try.
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