A Legendary Life

When Nelson Mandela was initially released from prison in 1990, I was 7 years old.  Though current events and world news wasn't really my thing at the time, I remember quite clearly seeing this man who had spent so many years in confinement, rise to power in the anti-apartheid movement even though I had no idea why he was jailed or even what apartheid was at the time.  (Quite honestly, I just learned this evening it was 1993 - I thought for sure I was much older, since I remember it so clearly) I also remember thinking how determined, resilient, and dedicated he must have been to gain the support and the hearts of a nation as someone who was effectively at the time, an ex-convict (to put it much too simply.)

Since that time, every word spoken about this great man has been given the appropriate reverence and respect that he deserved and earned over the course of an astonishing lifetime.  He made the world see that good work can be done peacefully, by continuing on the mission of another great man; Martin Luther King Jr.  I can't begin to explain the politics and issues of his country and its people, as I'm no expert on the matter at all.  However, I'm sure that the country of South Africa and the people that are still working for change today, owe a great debt to Nelson Mandela and would not be there today if it weren't for the work he did as an activist and president.  Just as I'm sure they're mourning the loss of such a great peaceful, proactive and loving leader this evening.