It took us 8hours, 17minutes and 43seconds to reach the top of Platteklip Gorge with my mum, but against all odds - an ageing body, mild emphasema, a frozen shoulder and an compacted spine - she did it! It took a group effort to get her up the mountain - slowing down to match her pace and just accepting that we would get there one small step at a time. The fact that she could have her family there to help her reach her goal brought home to me that none of us ever achieve anything alone, and it was a huge exercise in 'alone we can't, together we can!' . It's the people around us - who help us, who believe in us, who encourage us, who push us when we want to quit - who are intrinsic to our success.
At the end of the day she was able to look down on Cape Town and celebrate that she had realised a HUGE dream that a year ago she had given up on ever achieving. I can't explain how incredible it felt to see her face and to know with every fibre of my being that change is possible for anyone. If my mother can summit a mountain after coming back from the brink of death, then I truly believe anyone can do anything if they just do it at the pace they are capable of.
Near the top of the mountain we all started humming the theme to Chariots of Fire and also singing my song "Push Me On" to keep her going, and it was an emotional experience to have the words find new meaning in terms of her journey and to watch her keep on pushing till she reached her goal. AMAZING!!!
"Hold on - just a little longer. You are so much - closer than you know...
Hold on - it's just a little further and we'll push you on - till you reach home"
