2012 Review

The last day of 2012 is here and what a whopper it's been! This is always a time of reflection and looking back over the past year has made me realise how much living and loving happens each year.

January saw yours truly turn 50 and Erin start her 1st year at Vega doing Brand Development and Management. In February our gorgeous firstborn, Erin, moved in with her boyf Warren - and our nest suddenly seemed a lot quieter and emptier. March was quiet (except for the usual Cycle Tour action)and Russ and I remembered our late mothers on their birthdays on 17th and 24th: we're so lucky to have had them help shape our lives. April was hectic with Chaeli being awarded the 1st ever Social Activism Medal by the Nobel Peace Laureates at their annual summit in Chicago. Chaeli kicked it with past presidents like Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and FW de Klerk and also schmoosed with movie royalty like Sean Penn. And she has the pics to prove it! In May Erin celebrated the last birthday celebration of her teens on the 14th. June saw The Chaeli Campaign launch its 1st Jozi Ambassadors chapter in Lenasia South.

On 28 July Russ, Erin, Warren and I were invited to attend Chaeli's Matric Dance pre-party with her and her partner Damian, the rest of the Reddam Matrics and their families. August was choc-a-bloc full of action. The Chaeli Campaign turned 8. Chaeli turned 18. And I discovered that my heart's electrical system is taking strain dancing to its own discordant beats and have had to learn how to take tablets on a daily basis.

September saw our play, 'In The Wings', hit the stage at the Joburg Theatre in its 2nd season and The Chaeli Campaign claimed September as Chaeli Peace Pop month - with 4 of our Lavender Hill Ambassadors and Chaeli addressing the full Council of the City of Cape Town. October was ridiculous and another moment for me to let go: Chaeli was invited to be a keynote speaker at the UNESCO Conference in Paris and I did not travel with her for the 1st time - she and Erin had a ball: sisters in Paris - what can I say?! November saw both our daughters start their exams: Erin doing her 1st varsity end-of-year exams and Chaeli writing IEB Matric exams. November both flew by and took forever. Chaeli won the Youth Leader of the Year award at the National Disability Awards and met the Pres and several members of his Cabinet when she did a presentation in front of 3000 people in Nelspruit. We did manage to have a celebratory braai (so unusual for the Mycrofts!) on Russell's B-Day on the 28th. And then December arrived with all of us spending a fair amount of time at Pick n Pay Steenberg doing our Red Sock Friday Christmas promotion. Early in December we heard that Erin had passed her 1st year with distinctions in 6 of her 10 subjects. We celebrated Christmas with our buddies the Terrys and had the Keets and BSA friends pop in - always a blessing. And then 2 days ago we got Chaeli's Matric results - a B aggegate with mega marks ensuring entrance to study at UCT next year.

And these were just some of the highlights ... Hectic! Frenetic! Fabulous! Soooo ... I salute the wonderful year that was 2012. And even more importantly a big shout out to the people who made it so special.