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  • Approved for CNN

    • Click to view mtg176's profile
    Posted December 6, 2012 by
    mtg176
    Location
    Springfield, Missouri
    Assignment
    Assignment
    This iReport is part of an assignment:
    What was your best moment of 2012?

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    On Top Of The World

    By mtg176  |  Posted December 6, 2012  |  Springfield, Missouri
     

    CNN PRODUCER NOTE     Michael Goodling worked in Swaziland for two years as a missionary, but was stunned when his mother -- who had never left her home state of Pennsylvania -- expressed a desire to visit him and see his work for herself. "We picked her up from the airport in South Africa and the next morning in Swaziland, as soon as we got up, I said to my mom 'get in the car -- I'm going to take you to the highest place I know!'" he said. The family drove up to Tea Road overlooking the Ezulwini Valley, got our of their car and drank in the view -- with his daughter capturing this image of mother and son. "She later said that she'd never seen such a beautiful thing and was thrilled to have the experience," he said. "It was the highlight of my life, absolutely, and it was the best thing to happen to her." His mother is now back in Pennsylvania but has kept a book detailing her adventures, and as for this picture, he says of all the images he has of this year, it is the one he keeps coming back to.
    - sarahbrowngb, CNN iReport producer

    My Mom, Bonnie Kiner, has worked very hard all of her life. She has seldom traveled outside of our home state of Pennsylvania, let alone outside the USA. She never had a passport and never flew on a plane. However, all of that changed this past May.

     

    While living in Swaziland, Africa, with my family doing missionary work, my Mom decided to take the trip of a lifetime. She said she would accompany our daughter, Alyssa, as she made a return trip from college to visit us. We were stunned at the prospect at Mom being in Africa!

     

    However, she made good on her promise, and we were thrilled to greet her and our daughter at the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

     

    The next day after our arrival back to Swaziland from the airport, I told Mom I was taking her to the top of the world! This photo was taken by our daughter Alyssa as I showed my Mom the amazing Ezulwini Valley. She might have felt like she was standing on top of the world being so high up in elevation, but I was the one on top of the world because my Mom was standing by my side in this new land with fresh experiences and memories. This was my most special moment of 2012 that I will forever cherish.

     

    ---Rev. Michael Goodling

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