By: Robert Jones
Changing Our Narrative
Like so many others, I was devastated when I heard the news that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were killed in a tragic helicopter accident. I was unable to stop the flow of tears at the thought of Kobe Bryant no longer being with us. The tears flowed at the thought that this glorious retirement that he earned after 20 years of NBA toil was suddenly cut off. The tears flowed because a wife had lost a husband, a mother had lost a daughter and quartet of sisters suddenly became a trio.
As a native of Los Angeles, I am no stranger to celebrity deaths. I often sympathize with the loss but have never been one driven to emotion over these types of events. So one could imagine the struggle I had within myself as I was unable to control my emotional outpouring after this loss. After having a few days to think about it I have come to a conclusion. I miss Kobe Bryant like a family member because in some strange, inexplicable way Kobe was a family member.
Throughout his career I got to watch him grow up and it feels like he was always around as I grew up. I remember him coming to the Lakers while I was in middle school. I remember the discussion and debate around him shooting the air balls against Utah in the playoffs. I remember his growth as a player while I grew in high school. I remember sitting with family members watching as he won his first championship. Then his second and third.
As it seemed like he had graduated to NBA superstar status, I graduated from high school and began my journey through college. I remember the disappointment I felt after his struggles in Colorado. And like a family member I was able to love him once more, especially when seeing how he responded by becoming this awesome husband and father.
I remember the years of struggle after Shaquille O’Neal and Phil Jackson had moved on. These coincided with my years of struggling to finish college and ending my football career. I remember getting my first professional job as an engineer and not long after that being able to experience two more championships with Kobe Bryant.
As his career crept to a close, I too had become a husband and father. I remember sitting with my own wife and kids as Kobe on his final night scored 60 points as an amazing cap to an amazing career.
In some strange, inexplicable way Kobe was family. He shared in my life as I shared in his. Given all this, it is understandable to have emotions thinking about how his life was ended unexpectedly. As we remember his life, let it continue to inspire us to work hard for the things and especially the people we love. I know that’s what I will try to do.
