Like the rest of the world, my family was shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Kobe today. I cannot and will not claim to be a basketball aficionado or even to care much about the sport at all. However, John passionately loves basketball and Kobe is a hero and a legend to my young teen. We were out this afternoon without John, when he called Honey completely shaken asking if the news was true. When your kid grieves, you grieve.
I struggled to come up with words that would make sense of this tragedy. To answer the why? how? what now? questions we were asked. Nine people suddenly lost their lives and I can’t fathom the heartache of the parents, children, wives, husbands and friends left behind, after all.
And so, I fell back on my old stand-by. I urged John to look at the world, fans, teams, rivals, actors, news casters, and people coming together tonight – and in the days to come – to celebrate the legacy of a man who was the best at his craft. A husband, father, friend, athlete and hero to many. I asked him to remember that every single day people lose loved ones in tragic, senseless acts, and also just because their time here on earth was temporal and complete. And, most importantly, I reminded him to never forget that every day we get here, with each other, is a gift and that tomorrow is never guaranteed, no matter who you are, how legendary you became, or how many people loved you.
This was the first loss I think he felt personally. No, he never met Kobe or even saw him play. But, he was inspired by him, could rattle off a bazillion facts and stats about him, and admired him. I understand his grief and assured him it is completely normal. When we took John to NYC for his 13th birthday trip, he wanted to get a Lakers jacket from the NBA store as his gift. He poured through every last Lakers item in the store before choosing this, and has proudly worn it since.
Sending love and hugs this Sunday night… let’s all make the most of tomorrow and the day after and so on and so forth.
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I don’t follow sports but this loss really struck me. Kobe was in the prime of his life, helping others with their lives. His sweet daughter just at the very start of something great.
Wishing solace eventually to the Bryant family
You are so right. He had moved beyond the court into so much more. <3
I was hoping you would make a post about this-you have a way with words. I am not into sports either but this has bothered me so much. I just can’t even imagine…I hope John feels betters soon.
Awww, sending love and hugs your way too! xo
You are so right. We just never know. A small plane crashed near my home on Saturday afternoon killing two young men. And then yesterday’s crash–The pilot near me was an expert and an aerobatic pilot also–what ever have in either of these crashes is only speculation, what matters most are the families left grieving their loved ones–their lives changed forever–my heart goes out to them all!
Yes! xoxo
Growing up in Kentucky, basketball is a member of the family. My husband was alerted to the news of the helicopter crash as he overheard two twenty-somethings discussing the loss of Kobe Bryant. It hurt to the core to think that a person known to the world could be gone so suddenly, truly in the prime of his life. I’ve never understood the hero worship of athletes or actors but to see Jerry West, a Lakers executive and surrogate father to Kobe, in such obvious distress as he spoke of Kobe the man not just an athletic, was all it took for me to cry like I had lost someone I knew. The obvious love Mr. West and other friends of Kobe’s shared when they were interviewed was the ultimate testament of the man, father, and friend he was and will ever be in the hearts of his fans. I grieve with John, the Bryant family, and the world who knew him as we accept the news of the loss of Kobe and his daughter along with the others on the helicopter. I can’t begin to imagine the hurt so many feel today. Be kind, be available, live and love life to the fullest every day.
I love this so much! Especially this “Be kind, be available, live and love life to the fullest every day.” Wonderful words!
I lived in Los Angeles for almost 30 years, during the height of the Kobe/Shaq Lakers, and although I cannot stand basketball, Kobe’s death upset me tremendously. It surprised me how much I was upset, to be honest! Kobe stood out in the NBA in class every bit as much as talent. (I feel the same about Shaq!)
When I found out one of his daughters was also killed, I just about broke down. My heart is breaking for Vanessa; I cannot imagine how devastated she is, losing her husband and a child at the same time.
You write so beautifully about the importance of cherishing each minute. Thank you for the reminder, and please know John will be in my prayers, as his young heart grapples with its first brush with loss.
There were other people/families on the helicopter. A mother of 3 to start with and other young girl athletes….let’s not forget. Everyone onboard had a family. The biggest names get the most attention.