We all know that the world lost a great man a few days ago, that man was Nelson Mandela. When I heard of his passing I instantly felt a wave of sadness. I can honestly state this is the first time in a long time I have felt sad about someone outside my life circle dying.
He was a brilliant, loving, strong man who changed the world.
But stating that I am sad that he is gone does not touch on what I am actually feeling. I am going to attempt to communicate that to you now, because I think it is important to understand Death and ones feeling surrounding it.
I was sad that his family is in pain at his loss, even though he lived a long life it is still hard to let go of someone you love. It is a selfish sadness as in it is more about feeling sad at the aspect of being without that person. There is now a gap in your life that will remain empty, but people are full of holes and this is where we can echo into ourselves and find deeper truths.
I was also sad for all those who are in mourning–including myself. This reflects back upon what I just wrote about losing a loved one. Mandela was such a large force that we are all affected by his death. For a brief moment I felt lost at the idea that the world is a bit more empty without him. That someone who has changed the course of history is now gone. This is as far as my sadness took me.
I quickly had a realization that his life’s work will continue to change the world. In the wake of his death every news broadcaster released stories about his life, his work, his love. The internet became a buzz with quotations, thoughts, memories of Mandela. Even my facebook feed blew up with photos and quotes of this great man. People who did not know his work, did not know his life are now fully exposed. The emotional response from his death has rippled across the globe continuing his life after death.
It is sad that he is gone. It brings tears to my eyes and I never met the man, but there is hope and joy in this sadness. I have faith that he will continue to change the world as long as we continue to honour him and tell his stories.
“Nelson Mandela was everything the world has said of him.
Madiba, as he’s affectionately called, was profound, humble, kind, calm, generous, strategic, funny, brimming with honesty and integrity, occasionally impish and with a heart that seemed as though it could encompass the world.
And encompass the world, it did. It’s always said that after 27 years in prison he turned the other cheek: in truth, he emerged from the fires of hell with nothing but wisdom and love, for his people and for the planet.
There will never be such another.”
- Stephen Lewis
Until Tomorrow.
