For Kobe

When legends die, it seems we’re all reminded of our own mortality. In the past couple of months, it’s hard to quantify how many times I’ve heard something along the lines of “I thought Kobe was gonna live forever” from family, friends, his peers, and fans alike. I too shared this same sentiment. Never in a million years would I have been prepared to hear something that deeply gut wrenching about Kobe Bryant.  

I was in an Uber with a loved one when the music stopped abruptly and the radio DJ made the announcement. My first reaction was “is he serious? What month is it? What a bloody joke!” In my head we were now at that sick point of the year and this prick just made the most tasteless, unfunny April Fools joke ever. Then the Uber driver, clearly just as baffled as we were, asks if I can look it up to confirm; I pulled out my phone to discover a message from a close friend saying “Yo, Kobe Bryant just died”. Then google, then twitter.. It was confirmed. We were horrified to find out this was in fact true. 

I immediately started to cry and for the life of me, I couldn’t stop. I was not only shaken to my core at the idea that The Black Mamba was no longer here, but the fact that he met his demise in the way that he did made it all the more unbearable. To know that his young daughter lost her life, likely in her father’s arms, was even harder to stomach. I am deeply gutted about this unfortunate nightmare, as we all are and I pray that the supreme rulers of the universe guide, protect, and keep Vanessa and their beautiful baby girls. I pray that the loved ones left behind by the other seven passengers aboard that helicopter find peace, hope, and comfort during this most difficult time. I pray that Kobe, Gianna, and every single soul we lost on that helicopter has ascended into the kingdom of God. 

To everyone hurting right now, especially to the athletes whose lives he’s changed forever, channel this energy into something great! Don’t let him down! Keep pushing forward! 

Let us all strive to reach our highest selves and live a life worth living, no matter what that looks like. Strive to make a change. Reach out wide enough to touch the lives of those around you, at any capacity, and never stop your elevation. The only way to go is up! If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching Kobe play throughout the years, it’s that there are no limits to what can be achieved in this life; even when you think you’ve reached yours, there’s always more to strive for. 

I will always love and admire the man that was Kobe Bryant. He truly raised an entire generation of men, Black men in particular, by living his truth and doing exactly what he loved in the best possible way it could ever be done. It is remarkable to see all the love he’s being shown across the world. He was indeed bigger than life! Rest in eternal peace my Virgo brother. May the trees you planted a long time ago be the shade that shields us for generations to come.