Hansie

I wonder how many people overseas know about our Cricket Captain of the past, Hansie Cronje. I don't know how far his story reached, but I do know one thing...It reached inside the hearts of every South African alive during that time.

Hansie Cronje was our Cricket Captain in the 1990's. He was a hero and to many, still is. During this time though, he was involved in match fixing. He accepted money from bookies for information about the team, conditions ect.

He made a mistake.

Hansie was a Christian. He openly expressed his faith in front of the media and his team. When he made these mistakes, he felt shattered and didn't know if even God would forgive him. He fought his battle with guilt for 18 months after and eventually found peace when a pastor whom he was close to told him that God had forgiven him a long time ago, now all he needed to do was forgive himself. Hansie was baptised and began working to get his life back on track with the help of his wife and family. Slowly but surely, he began to regain the nations love and forgiveness. Granted, not everyone forgave him, but many did, and were the better people for it.

Hansie was involved in a plane crash on the 1st June 2002 and died. He left behind a legacy though. What touched me the most was that this man made a huge mistake. He betrayed a nations trust and had to live through all the hurt and guilt that came with it. But, he could have dealt with the situation differently. He could have kept quiet and never told the truth. He could have denied it all. But, he didn't.

Hansie got on national television and asked the nation for forgiveness. He confessed to us all what he done and how sorry he was. He was prepared to accept whatever the world threw at him after that.

That took courage that I'm sure most of us do not have.

The reason for this post, is that the Hansie Movie came out in South African cinemas this week. Ryan and I went and saw it last night.

It has been made by his family and it shows Hansie's rise and fall from grace. Its accurate and truthful. I cried openly for a man who had enough courage to tell the truth, no matter what the consequences. This man will forever be a South African hero to so many.

Those many include me.

Happy Birthday Mommy

Mommy,

Today is your birthday and I miss you even more than usual.

I remember when we were little, how Colleen, Monique and I would make you breakfast and a birthday card and bring them to you in bed. I remember how happy you would be, even if it was just mix juice and the toast was a little burnt, with just boring jam on top.

You were always there for me when I was growing up. I loved that you were a stay at home mom and were always there when I came home from school and wanted someone to talk to about my day.

If I was sick at school, I always knew that I could call you to come and pick me up.

If it was my sports day or gala, I knew I would always see your face in the crowd, cheering me on. Even if it meant you had to sit in the blistering sun, or cold wind, you were always there.

I had so many difficult times at school, and often came home crying about not having any friends. I can remember sitting on your dressing table in Landman Road and you telling me that the other kids were just jealous and that one day they would see. You wiped my tears and picked me back up…over and over again.

I can still remember our love for little animals and how you used to help us hide them in the outside room. I also remember how, when us little kids lost interest for a while, that you would look after them for us.

You taught me love, kindness and patience. I can hardly ever remember you getting angry at us. Even when we were naughty, you only had love for us.

When I was little I used to think I was the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my mommy. I still think so, but now I have an even better understanding of how wonderfully amazing you actually are.

If I can be even half the mother, wife and woman that you are, I will be happy.

You are an angel and I am truly blessed to call myself your little girl.

I love you and cannot wait to come home.

Lolli
xxxxxx

18th September 2008

The reason for the date as todays post heading is that today is a very special day in the life of one of my bloggy friends.

Today Lauren and Ted get married.

Today they start their lives together as husband and wife and I couldnt be happier for them.

I started blogging because of Lauren.

Yip, its true.

Basically, I needed to find a driving school in my area and I know of one called "Busy Bee", but didnt know what their contact details were. So, I headed over to ever-trusty Google and I well, Googled it.

Needless to say, I never did find the number, but what I DID find was so much better than any "learn-to-drive-telephone-no"

Over the next few months I got to know Lauren and many other bloggers, and started my own blog to.

I got to know Lauren as a wonderful woman (almost my age) whose posts about life in AZ made me laugh and sometimes cry. I followed her life through the good and bad and its crazy, but I almost feel as through she is my friend for real.

***I think I should insert " I am NOT a crazy-lurker-stalker-person" here***

I just feel that if I could have chosen a place to live and a best friend to have, my answers would have been "Next door to the Face Family" and "Lauren"

Or maybe they could have come to live in Africa - that would have been awesome aswell..if they could cope with all the roaming lions and zebra that is! :)

So, basically, I just want to wish Lauren and her Ted all the best for their big day and their lives ahead. They make the absolutely perfect couple and Im sure Im not the only one that thinks that. The way you guys have loved each other and reached today is truely an inspiration for me.

May the Lord bless you today and always.

All my love
Chell

Tomorrow!

Today is the last day that I will be a 21 year old!

In a way, I am a little sad cos 21 is a pretty cool age to be, but on the other hand, I am glad to be growing up and expanding my horizons.

...Ok, that sounded like something straight out of Dr. Phil...

My apologies.

Anyways, the point is, Im excited for my birthday tomorrow, but not excited for what has to happen the day after.

We have our annual Sales awards and Conference on Saturday, which I single handedly organise and I am very stressed about it at the moment.

Here is basically what I have had to do since planning started a few months back:

Order and sort through a lot of vouchers that we are going to give as prizes
Hand make 190 invitations and send them all over the province
Hand make 38 menu cards to be on the tables
Hand make the Table number cards to be on a board when people walk in so that they can see what table they are sitting at
Put 190 people in groups for the tables according to branch
Put 190 people in groups to see what room they are sleeping in
Choose the venue
Choose decor
Choose the menu - taking into account any special dietary requirements
Choose the drinks
Choose the DJ
Choose the photographer
Choose frames for the award certificates
Choose guest speaker for morning event
Choose guest speaker for Sales Awards at night
Choose team building activity
Arrange payment for all of the above
Design 60 certificates
Print 60 certificates
Frame 60 certificates
Go and check out venue and run through programme
Organise transport for people from far away branches
Organise banners for entrance and hall
Organise week-end away for one of the prize winners
Send out memo and directions to all attending
Organise printed mugs as gifts for all attending
Buy and pack 190 bags of sweets to go inside mugs
Get T-shirt sizes from all branches and order T-shirts
Label and pack 190 T-shirts into gift bags
Pack 190 lanyards and pens into gift bags with T-shirts
Set everything up tomorrow night...yes, I have to go to the venue early...yes, I have to spend my birthday at work and then my evening working too.

Am I feeling sorry for myself?

Yes.

Did I go and get flu on top of everything?

Yes.

Should I go and eat some chocolate now?

Yes :)

***I want to end this post by remembering all the lives that were affected on this day in 2001. May the Lord hold those who lost loved ones, in His hands, now and always***

Love Chell