December 15, 2013.

Nelson Mandela Reaches His Final Resting Place

"Look, Katharine! Look at those flowers. That clump down near the bottom. Do you see they're two different colours?"

QUNU, South Africa----Family, friends and African leaders remembered the life of Nelson Mandela at a funeral held on Sunday in his childhood hometown, the final stop in a nation-changing journey through prison to the presidency.

She had already turned to go, but she did rather fretfully come back for a moment. She even leaned out over the cliff face to see where he was pointing. He was standing a little behind her, and he put his hand on her waist to steady her. At this moment it suddenly occurred to him how completely alone they were. There was not a human creature anywhere, not a leaf stirring, not even a bird awake. In a place like this the danger that there would be a hidden microphone was very small, and even if there was a microphone it would only pick up sounds. It was the hottest sleepiest hour of the afternoon. The sun blazed down upon them, the sweat tickled his face. And the thought struck him....

"He went to school with bare feet and yet rose to the highest office in the land," said granddaughter Nandi Mandela, who stood before 95 candles, each one symbolizing a year in Mr. Mandela's life. "It is in each of us to achieve what we want in life."

"Why didn't you give her a good shove?" said Julia. "I would have."

"His life," she added, "is a story of resilience."