Cathy Beesey Founder Stories Connecting Us

Self-talk, throughout my career, “When one door closes another opens.” Instilling curiosity, confidence, risk-taking and ultimately giving myself permission to be brave. 

Burano Island, Italy

Privileged to have a career in education, always delighted in those moments when a child understood, learnt something new, sensing their pride and satisfaction. Supported by some extraordinary colleagues I focused on improving my practice. Alongside this I craved for an opportunity to go beyond the boundaries of a primary school. I closed the door on primary teaching at twenty-eight. A door opens to regional consultancy but once again when it was time I closed the door, always searching. I became a statewide coordinator for programs in early numeracy and I thrived with positive challenges. Funding lessened and before the door shuts, I close it. A door opens to writing mathematics books for teachers and children and promoting them throughout Australia, USA and Canada. A fulfilling but limited career, I close the door. A door opens, University Lecturer in Mathematics Education. I observed student’s attitudes to mathematics change from I hate mathematics to I can teach it. A job advertisement Numeracy, Department of Education Victoria applied for and successful, followed by sixteen years as a bureaucrat. My career engaging, diverse, with many promotions. The door slammed shut one day in 2015.

Lipari Aeolian Islands, Italy 

Wondering what do I want to do, who do I want to be? Curiosity, confidence, risk taking and bravery return. I open a door to travel blogging with Cathy Travelling: stories photos tips to inspire. This journey with my friend Daniela is one of fun, courage, frustration and every other emotion possible. No money is made, not much of a business, but I am proud of our website, our creation.  

Mt Etna, Sicily

On 9 February 2019 I am diagnosed with a rare overactive immune disorder, Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis that is treated with an intensive drug regime. On the day of diagnosis I began a journal, writing every day and now I write a memoir: Grateful, Learning to live with an autoimmune disorder, A mosaic of my journal.   

I cannot shut the door on Cathy Travelling website; visiting occasionally, it sits waiting, the door ajar. August 2021 searching for my website I cannot find it, the door slammed shut and locked. Distraught, sad, feeling I have lost a favorite book and part of myself, the website filled with my stories and photos. My website cannot be resurrected, it was hacked, closed, not backed up. The door is locked I cannot open it. If this door had not closed, could I have closed it? 

A dream I held close to my heart was to re-launch our website Cathy Travelling creating a space for my stories and the stories of other’s. This dream has grown as I participate in writing groups listening to the stories of others: captivating, moving, inspiring, diverse. 

Tentatively I begin to open a door, Stories Connecting Us, naming my vision for a website. Everyone is a storyteller. Here is a place to publish, owning you story fully. And for this website my dream grows creating an online space to share all types of writing: family stories, travel blogs, favorite Ted Talks, fiction, plays, book reviews and more. Book reviews about books currently being read and those holding a special place in hearts and minds. This is an opportunity to write as little as I read The Dry by Jane Harper and loved the images of rural Victoria to setting the context of your life as you read a book that touched your very being. One of mine was Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert showing me how to find my creativity and giving strength and hope. 

Will I open this door? Or is there another door to open.

Cordoba, Spain

Copyright Cathy Beesey, September 2024. All rights reserved; this intellectual property belongs solely to Cathy Beesey