Thursday, December 05, 2013
Farewell Mandela
It was February 11th, 1990 and I was 10 years old. That Sunday morning the house was filled with feverish excitement a far cry from the gloom and doom following Buster Douglas's upset of Mike Tyson, the heavyweight boxing champion. From the conversation I gathered that something good was about to happen to someone named Mandela. All eyes were glued to the television and I watched as an old man walked through some gates to loud cheers mixed with tears from my relatives.
As I grew older and learnt about Mandela I was able to understand the magnitude of watching him take those halting steps to freedom. Imprisoned for 27 long years, he never wavered in his fight for racial equality but pressed on with his beliefs. There are so many lessons to be learnt from the life of Nelson Mandela but his seeming ability to live in the now is what has resonated with me.
For some of us forgiveness is the hardest hurdle to cross. We remember all the wrongs inflicted upon us and swear to get even or patiently wait on karma to have its way. It would have been so easy for Mandela to be bitter but he famously said “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.” Truly great words to live by!
When I got the alert that he had died I couldn't help thinking he went out on his terms.Earlier in the year the world waited with bated breath for the updates on his failing health. In fact, it was more of a death watch but In fact, it was more of a death watch but seems he wanted to go out without the fanfare and fate obliged. Walk good Mandela, from political prisoner to first black president of South Africa your life was an inspiration.
As I grew older and learnt about Mandela I was able to understand the magnitude of watching him take those halting steps to freedom. Imprisoned for 27 long years, he never wavered in his fight for racial equality but pressed on with his beliefs. There are so many lessons to be learnt from the life of Nelson Mandela but his seeming ability to live in the now is what has resonated with me.
For some of us forgiveness is the hardest hurdle to cross. We remember all the wrongs inflicted upon us and swear to get even or patiently wait on karma to have its way. It would have been so easy for Mandela to be bitter but he famously said “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison.” Truly great words to live by!
When I got the alert that he had died I couldn't help thinking he went out on his terms.Earlier in the year the world waited with bated breath for the updates on his failing health. In fact, it was more of a death watch but In fact, it was more of a death watch but seems he wanted to go out without the fanfare and fate obliged. Walk good Mandela, from political prisoner to first black president of South Africa your life was an inspiration.
# posted by Abeni @ 11:37 PM 
