There have been many contrasts in the homecoming of people all over the world, some joyous and some less so, this is also a matter of perspective. When Castro came home to Cuba and fought for freedom from dictatorship and won, there was great jubilation, even in the streets of Florida. Now many try to flee, others are willing to honor Castro and muddle through a life of austerity.

Rhodesia finally overthrew white rule and there was great hope which has turned to dust in the awfulness of Mugabe’s oppression.

The return of Ayatollah to Iran was celebrated, and now many live in fear of the dominance of Muslim extremism and Sharia rule.

Kissinger was recently asked if he and Nixon had any idea that their policies would soon bring about an all-powerful China. “Inconceivable”, he replied! He was then asked what he thought about what the rebellion in Egypt might attain. His wise reply, “You must remember that Egypt was a great and powerful nation for thousands of years, while the American continent was a wilderness.”

And then there was the release of Mandela from prison in South Africa. He came home to lead the nation with grace and humility and dignity to a peaceful reconciliation. He made South Africans proud and helped rebuild the nation.

Miriam Makeba, the jazz singer who was promoted by American jazz greats, called Mandela and asked if she might finally come home. She had been banned for 27 years for speaking out at the United Nations against apartheid and colonialism. She asked Mandela if she might finally come home. Nelson Mandela said he would meet her plane personally and welcome her back.

Then she went and sat on her mothers grave and felt as if she were sitting in her mothers lap. She told her how she had missed her family and all that had happened to her, and wept for the years she had been banned from her home.