Overcast Skies, Somber Heavy Sighs as I offer this Goodbye.. To Mandela

Overcast Skies, Somber Heavy Sighs as I offer this Goodbye.. to Mandela The Morning of December 6th 2013 gravel colored skies showered tears to the ground as I stood solemnly. The headlines read Nelson Mandela is dead at the age of 95. Every Broadcast that I turned to memorialized his existence. Distracted through most of the morning’s workday, during my lunch break, I decided to get a phone card and called my Father who is now a retired diplomat residing in Sierra Leone, West Africa. I was concerned and wondered how the death of such a prominent political figure must be impacting him. Our conversation revealed how much my Father shared Mandela’s vision. How instrumental he was in calling him to political service. My Dad’s career in the foreign ministry with the government of Sierra Leone shared a common thread with Mandela’s campaign for justice and empowerment. I learned how my Father’s UN resolution drafts were considered radical because they supported divestment initiatives in South Africa. Nelson Mandela, a conduit  of inspiration for the ages. It would take a collaborative ground swell from international leaders and challenge us all to stand together around the globe to shift the tide of apartheid. All ignited by one man’s tireless crusade against disgraceful oppression. Attaching labels like: Saint, Martyr and Icon to Mandela’s life seem to stir up bias and often overlook the overarching truth that lives in such a dynamic spirit. Harnessing the power to change the world is like catching lightning in a bottle. It seems impossible until you have witnessed it. December 5th 2013 the day countless millions around the world heaved, sobbed, reflected or spoke about such an indomitable spirit. There were news reports that he had been in critical condition for weeks still, I wanted to collapse in front of that newsstand with devastation. All within that same moment it became apparent to me that mourning the end of his life would not bury his legacy. How will we honor Mandela’s unconditional devotion to humanity? How will we archive his progressive rebellion that redefined the South African political system and subsequently rocked the planet! I urge you to put up your fists up for freedom, for valor and for eternal peace for Mandela.