On the 8th Jan 2016, I received the following letter from Dawn Lindberg, the Executive Director of the South African Naledi Theatre Awards:
Dearest Gaynor,
Congratulations on being chosen to be an ABSA ‘PROSPER‘ AMBASSADOR!
The timing co-incides with our Executive Decision to give you a SPECIAL NALEDI THEATRE AWARD this year, at the 2016 Awards:
Tuesday 19 APRIL 2016
@ THE LYRIC THEATRE GRC
We haven’t decided on the “official name” for the Award yet, but as NALEDI means Shining Star, it has been suggested that we name it :
The SHOOTING STAR NALEDI AWARD for individuals in the Industry who have displayed exceptional courage, strength and personal achievement in the face of huge challenges.
The first recipient (if you agree to accept of course!) will be GAYNOR YOUNG!!
(nominated by myself and unanimously endorsed by the Board and Executive!)
We will of course fly you to Joburg and back to George (preferably on 18 April, but possibly earlier if we need you for publicity, and home again, also on a date to be confirmed with yourself….you may wish to stay a bit longer in Joburg to see friends or to do work for ABSA.
So, darling Gaynor, I require the following ASAP:
Your agreement in writing that you accept this award (the first time ever that we will be presenting it!)
Your recent BIOGRAPHY
Minimum 5 –10 high res (or good quality) photos of yourself from when you were a child, to singing and dancing BEFORE the accident, in Camelot costume if possible, and then a selection AFTER the acccident to the PRESENT, including the cover of your book “My Plunge to Fame” (if you have it)….
we’d also like to fly your mum up with you to witness this honour.
The Event (and of course you!) will be shown on NATIONAL TV3 soon after the Awards….probably in May…
I DO HOPE YOU ARE AS EXCITED AS I AM ABOUT THIS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD, DARLING GAYNOR!
LOVE,
DAWN
Xxx
PS: THIS IS ALL HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL AT THIS STAGE, SO PLEASE KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!!
I was, to put it mildly, totally astounded. Me! Receiving a Naledi Award! And, I had to keep this wonderful happening a secret.This was not an easy thing to do!
The 19th April finally arrived and it was everything that I hoped it would be. What made it so wonderful was that my family was with me. How I missed Megan in NZ! Mums looked so beautiful. She just smiled and smiled. I wish that you had all been there to sample some of my delight in that magical evening. Receiving my award, I said a few words. These, I can definitely share with you!
Receiving this award is better than getting an Oscar! An Oscar is awarded to actors for their performance. I have been awarded this for so much more. All I can say is that I am honoured and incredibly humbled.
I have always been surrounded by love. Before I had my fall, I was a person that gloried in life because I was loved. After my accident, I still glory in life because of love.
My family has always shown me such incredible love, care, encouragement and support. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for that wonderful family of mine. And you, my friends have always been there for me. When I had my fall, I was convinced that I would lose my friends. There was no ways that they would have the patience to deal with this person who could no longer talk, walk or hear. You have all proved to me how wrong I was. I have learned that friendship is not made up by what you can and cannot do. It is rather about mutually giving and receiving.
I would like to share this award with someone without whom I wouldn’t be here today – My Mother. On the day that I was leaving the hospital, the doctor turned to Mum and said: “If Gaynor were my daughter, I would put her in an institution and forget about her. She is never going to be able to do anything but lie on her bed and stare mindlessly at the ceiling as she’s doing now.”
Without her determination, her stubbornness, her love, her realistic practicality, very possibly I would still be lying there in that bed staring vacantly up at the ceiling.
So, Mums, this award is yours too. Thank you!
And thank you all for encouraging my dreams to catch light, flare up and burn unceasingly!
I’m so glad I finally managed to start reading your blog, Gaynor. Took me a while to hobble over here from Twitter. I look forward to reading more. Lots of love to you!
Oh, Gaynor, you never cease to amaze and inspire! There could not have been a more worthy recipient and I can just imagine how beautiful you would have looked on that stage and how graciously you would have delivered those words.
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Congratulations that is awesome
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
So so so so so proud of you. And love you. xx
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Wow, Congratulations on an amazing achievement.
What a wonderful blog, and such wonderful words to your friends and family…especially your mom.
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Congrats Gaynor ! you’re awesome. xx
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
wow Gaynor, what a wonderful tribute to you and to your mom. you both deserve every bit of this award, so proud!!
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
What wonderful recognition for all you have achieved. You are a role model to so many. So special for sharing the award with your mother who was so determined, right from the beginning, to get Gaynor back. What a blessing you are to all of us. Thank you Gaynor.
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Congratulations to you, Gaynor and to your Mom!
God bless you and keep you forever in his wonderful light.
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Congratulations to you and your Mom, Gaynor!
May God bless you and help you to always keep your light shining
as you are both an amazing example of perserverence, hope and love.
Oh WOW, couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this in any field, dear Gaynor! I’m more than thrilled for you and your wonderful Mum! You’re an inspiration to all..to never give up, keep LOVE going, to stand when we feel like hiding in a ball, to be a sunbeam in the journey of life to others! CONGRATULATIONS from the bottom of my heart! God bless you and your dear Mum, and all your family! <3 <3
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Oh WOW, dear Gaynor… I’m SO, SO, SO thrilled for you and your darling Mum! You certainly are a sunbeam and Super-Nova Star . You’re an incredible inspiration to us all, and you’re a beautiful humble soul.. CONGRATULATIONS! May God bless you and your family abundantly! Love n Hugs 🙂
Congratulations Gaynor! So deserved! xxx
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Congratulations Gaynor, you are an inspiration, keep shining!
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
WOW!! This is FANTASTIC! Congratulations, you are a superstar!!
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Our sincerest congratulations to you and you Mum, you both deserve the award.
Many thanks to Des and Dawn Lindberg for choosing the Best of the Best!
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Hi gaynor,
When I hear you write of love I feel very sad that our paths did not cross when we were working in the theatre. Like you I believe in love and always gravitate to people who are of a like mind because I know they will not hurt me….or be unkind.
Hearty hearty congratulations on your Award. You have set such a wonderful example to people all over the world and so has your mother!!!!!Bravo Mrs. Young. What an incredible journey you have both travelled!!!!!!!!!! What strength and determination and examples of faith in action! Gaynor your mother must be so proud of you as must all your family. Bravo all round ! Thank you so much for sharing this special event!
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Sooooo well deserved dearest Gaynor – CONGRATULATIONS girlfriend xxxx
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Darling Gaynor, your shining light brightens our lives, bless you. No wonder you were awarded this gem. How perceptive of Dawn and Co. to realise there is more to the Arts than just “performance “. Love Mim xxxxx
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Congrats to u and mom
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Gaynor you are an inspiration, a shooting star you truly are! Congratulations on receiving this very prestigious, and first time ever award!!
To you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
I am bowled over by all of your words. For once, I am speechless!
As I said in my speech, I am a person that loves life. Yes, I have had to find my delight along a very different pathway to the one I had intended. But I am still here and able to sample the different textures of this wonderful thing called life!
Comments are closed.