Who is Dennis Gray?

Good question. Just when I think I know the answer, it changes. When I started this blog over a decade ago I was one person. Now in my 70s and having recently retired it seems I’m becoming someone else… again. But that’s the way it for all of us isn’t it. Staying the same is stagnation, change is growth… usually. But some things grow with us.

I’m a Jesus-follower. I’d like to tell you I’m a Christian but frankly, I’ve never been really comfortable with that designation. The word means ‘like the Christ’ and try as I might, I don’t qualify for that label most of the time. And let’s be frank, the label is going though a pretty rough patch right now. I feel the need to point out that following Jesus and his teachings, to me anyway, looks very different to what is being passed off as “Christian” these days. But, I’m still here, following as best I can, and that is all He ever asks of any of us.

I’m a theatre person.  Mostly community theatre. Mostly a geek. I’ve been a soundscape designer most of the time; but I have also served as technical director, stage manager, set-builder, props person, and have directed a couple of times as well. I’ve worked in theatres, gymnasiums, churches, and even museum backyards, though I mostly hang out at Guelph Little Theatre. I’ll likely write about that from time to time.

I’m a cancer survivor. Well, so far anyway. I was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2010. After surgery and seven weeks of radiation therapy I was declared cancer free in March of 2011. All in all I have been most fortunate and blessed. I had a great medical team at the Juravinski Cancer Centre looking after me, wonderful help from the Canadian Cancer society, and the incredible community of Kortright Church supporting me every step of the way.

Basic Bio. I was born in Guelph, Ontario, Canada in August of 1954.  Still living in there, not too terribly far from the neighbourhood in which I grew up. Married the lovely Roberta in 1982 and still wonder why it is she agreed to the ordeal of spending her life with me.  We have no children, but I have two brothers, Steven and Alexander, both with wonderful families of their own; all of whom I never see nearly enough.