Goodbye Tata...

I'm watching Madiba's final sendoff atm, his last flight from Gauteng to his home and final resting place in Qunu. The last few days have been so surreal yet seeing them load his coffin in preparation for his last journey, somehow made it real. I choked up for the first time, a huge lump in my throat! We as South Africans and to be honest the world could have learned so much from that man! He was not a God, he was however an extraordinary man that shaped this nation into what i hope will be an example that the rest of the world can still learn from.

People wait on the roadside to see a hearse carrying the casket of former president Nelson Mandela.

A child draped national flag gestures while taking a photo of the procession as the body of former president, Nelson Mandela arrives at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria.

 

South African President Jacob Zuma (C) wipes his tears while sitting beside Mandela's widow Graca Machel (L) and Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Mandela during a send-off ceremony for late former South African President Nelson Mandela at Waterkloof Air Force base in Pretoria.

 The coffin of former South African President Nelson Mandela is escorted aboard a military cargo plane after a send-off ceremony at Waterkloof Air Force base in Pretoria.

Madiba leaving Gauteng for the last time...

I'm Free"

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call.
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I've found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow:
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full I've savored much,
Good times, good friends, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all to brief,
Don't lenghten it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, he set me free.