A Tribute to Elaine Kelly

Posted By Susan Macaulay

There’s no one quite like you Elaine.

When the universe doled out boundless energy, you got quadruple your fair share! No wonder I count you amongst the amazing women I know…
You have almost singlehandedly raised two gorgeous sons, now in their late teens. They are just plain lovely young men: polite, positive, responsible, interesting, interested, bright, articulate, well-presented and multi-talented. You’ve taught them how to cook, clean, iron and treat women with respect. Let’s hope the next generation of moms follows in your footsteps.

Besides being an amazing mother, you are a successful career woman AND an accredited fitness instructor. At the age of 42, you have the body of a 20-year-old: lithe, lean and shapely.

You are eternally positive, a great networker and organizer who always seems to be either going somewhere or doing something, or planning to go somewhere or do something.

You’ve been to Everest base camp, Kilimanjaro, Jordan and The Great Wall of China with Gulf for Good. Since I’ve known you, you’ve also been to Sri Lanka, the Czech Rebpublic, and Scotland (to name just a few), and I’ve joined you on trips to Morocco and Borneo. Phew. It tires me out just thinking about it.

Since we met on the China Challenge in 2004 you’ve inspired me to climb the highest mountains in Southeast Asia and Northern Africa. Perhaps more important than those physical feats, you have also encouraged me to climb the mountains in my heart.

You were there when I did my first triathlon. You took pictures and cheered me on. After it was over, you told me how proud you were of me. You’ve said it again several times since, when I’ve done something you know is challenging for me.

I can’t tell you how much those: “I’m so proud of you Suzy”s mean to me. It’s one thing to take pride in one’s achievements (which I do), but it’s quite another to have someone else say it. It’s very special. Thanks.