Mandela at Robben Island-Photo: Jurgen Schadeberg
Difficulties break some men but make others. No axe is sharp enough to cut the soul of a sinner who keeps on trying, one armed with the hope that he will rise even in the end.
–Nelson Mandela
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Nelson Mandela died yesterday at the age of 95 in his native South Africa. His is a remarkable story of strength and perseverance, a man who fought in words and actions for the freedom of a people in a repressive society. He experienced the greatest depths and heights in his long and often arduous life, becoming one of the greatest sources of inspiration for our time.
His death is a great loss for all people everywhere. We have lost a source of tempered wisdom and the placid eyes of reconciliation and forgiveness. We have lost a knowing witness.
There is much to grieve in the death of Nelson Mandela but there much more to celebrate in the life of Nelson Mandela. And that is what we must do today– celebrate his life and the great inspirational gift he gave to us to carry forward.
It is a gift that must never be forgotten.
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There is an interesting website at nelsonmadelaart.com that features lithographs of drawings from Mandela of Robben Island as well as iconic photos of him, such as the one above from Jurgen Schadeberg. There is a lot of wonderful info on this site, making it definitely worth a visit.
Redtree Times 