I was sitting on the edge of my bed reading The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates when my husband walked into our bedroom, and blurted out, "Kobe is dead." At first I thought he was pulling my leg. But I couldn't help but think, "why would he say such a thing?" When I asked him to repeat himself, he could barely find the words, but managed to say, "Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash this morning." I was stunned. I was in a state of disbelief. I immediately turned on the television to find that everything my husband had said was true. I bet you can recall exactly where you were and exactly what you were doing when you learned of the passing of Kobe Bryant Sunday afternoon.
When I later learned that Kobe's 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, also died with him in the helicopter crash, I literally felt a weakness — I could barely hold myself up. But why was I so profoundly affected by the death of a celebrity I didn't even know? How could I be so forlorn over a person I had never even met? When an icon passes away, and leaves his or her earthly inhabitancy, we feel like we have lost a friend. But furthermore, celebrities take on a "Bigger than Life" persona, and somewhat display the image of God manifested in man — perfection. When the talents of a celebrity like Kobe bless us, we are able to see the incredible creation of God ultimately displayed in man. I truly believe that there are chosen ones. What do I mean by that? I believe that once in a lifetime, God blesses the world with these incredible talents, these incredible people, who are able to show just how magnificent He really is. These chosen few become bigger than their gifts, as they adopt this iconic image and connect with people around the world. Kobe was a chosen one. Think about this for a second! There were thousands of individuals who died on Sunday, but the death of Kobe Bryant seems to be the ending that left us all utterly speechless. But beyond this image of perfection, I honestly believe these five reasons leave us despondent over the tragic loss of the legendary Kobe Bryant, or any celebrity who has made such an impact on our lives: 1. We are reminded of our own mortality. Life is fragile, and death simply does not discriminate. When celebrities we love take on this "Bigger than Life" persona, they seem almost immortal to us. If death can happen to someone so incredibly special, it can definitely happen to us. Regardless of our age, (13 or 41), death can strike at any moment. We are reminded in the book of James that we do not know what will happen tomorrow. Life is just a vapor that appears for a moment and eventually vanishes away. Our time here on earth is short. While we are reminded of our own mortality, we must also be reminded to cherish every moment, and live like there is no tomorrow. 2. He transcended all of the things that divide us. Kobe wasn't "Bigger than Life," but he was bigger than the game of basketball. For those who love the game of basketball, and even those who don't, we all knew Kobe and the generous, genuine, and gentle man he was. He transcended race; he transcended class; he transcended culture. Kobe was able to show the world that no matter who you are, no matter what you look like, and no matter where you come from, God can use anybody to leave His mark on the world. I can personally say that I feel empowered and inspired by celebrities who are able to touch so many individuals, in so many different walks of life. When celebrities leave us, the thought of them no longer contributing to our lives can really leave a void. When Michael Jackson died, one of the most difficult aspects of this loss was the realization that there would be no more music from him. How could this be so, especially when so many memorable moments of my life were connected to his music. Nostalgia is a powerful thing — a longing for the familiar. 3. We weren't supposed to make it. We were slaves. Yes, you read that correctly. We were slaves. We weren't supposed to shake up the world. As an African-American, Kobe's tragic death resonates with me because of our story. From the slave ships to the White House, we made it, despite what others might have done to keep us down. We weren't supposed to become the greatest athletes in the world. We weren't supposed to be the biggest selling musicians of all time. We weren't supposed to become the President of the United States of America. We weren't supposed to win the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize. After hundreds of years of slavery and bondage, Jim Crow laws, and the journey for civil-rights and equality, we, as a people, have suffered enough. When one of our people die in such a tragic and untimely fashion, we relive all of the suffering and the pain. When Dr. King was assassinated, riots literally broke out in major cities around the country. It isn't supposed to end this way. We have been through enough. But it's okay to see the parallel in your experiences. We can find comfort in knowing that we can lean on one another. 4. We all make mistakes. This includes you. Kobe was the epitome of class and grace. He did not try to run from his personal troubles when it seemed like his world was crumbling. Rather, he addressed them, apologized for what might have gone array, picked himself up, and continued on his journey. If you haven't made any mistakes in life, then your momma should have just named you Jesus. Just like Peter, Kobe's story is one of redemption. Although we make mistakes, the greatest misfortune is not in the mistake itself. Rather, the misfortune is in repeating those mistakes over and over again. We make mistakes to learn from them, not to be cursed by them. Knowledge and good judgment follow when we truly learn from our blunders. We can all be redeemed. 5. We are fathers like Kobe and mothers like Vanessa. It's our worst fear. the unthinkable, completely exposed and devastating. For those who love the sport, and those who could care less about the game of basketball, we all shared something in common yesterday: we cried until we couldn't cry anymore, and we hugged our little ones like it would be our last. My husband cannot play basketball like Kobe, and he doesn't speak four different languages like him either, but he definitely has one thing in common with the icon — he is a father like Kobe. Looking at the photos of Kobe with is daughter Gianna reminds us all of that pride and unconditional love we feel for our children. Those pictures are all but a memory now for Vanessa and her three daughters. This is almost unbearable for me to fathom right now. We might not be like Kobe, but he was like many of us — a doting father. Vanessa is also like many of us — a loving mother. And we will continue to keep her lifted as she navigates through life without her best friend, and without her daughter whom she gave the greatest gift of all — life. The closest thing to Michael Jordan the world has seen, Kobe Bryant's legacy will live on long after his death. Kobe holds an 81 point scoring record in one game, five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, 18 All-Star game appearances, two olympic gold medals, and two jerseys hanging in the Staples Center — No. 8 and No. 24. Only 41 years old — these numbers will be ingrained in our memories forever. Kobe was a masterpiece, a chosen one. I am so glad God blessed us with just a glimpse of His magnificence — if only for a short time. Thank you Kobe, for sharing your God-Given gifts with the world. And thank you for reminding us, even in death, that there is still hope in mankind. We should all look to Christ as we make our way through this short, but complicated world. May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds. To the Bryant family, and all of those affected by the souls lost in this tragic accident, I will never stop praying for you.
8 Comments
Dr. Lora Adams-King
1/28/2020 09:01:36 am
Beautifully written!
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Sandra Price
1/28/2020 01:56:55 pm
Absolutely beautifully written!
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1/28/2020 02:21:22 pm
This is such a beautiful, heart felt story. About being a mother, and a father. I will live each day as if it was my last day. Time and Death are 2 things we have no control over. I have watched Kobe grow up from the age of 17 to present. His passion could not be ignored. He was larger than life, he became my Friend in 2007 while in Vegas, at the All Star Game. He won the MVP! I cried for him then, and I'm crying for him now. I pray Vanessa and the other 3 girls will OK in time. I also pray for all the people aboard that Plane. Kobe & Gianna together forever!
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Veronica
1/29/2020 09:33:33 am
This is most Iconic Story I have heard and so touching.
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Faith
1/28/2020 09:52:49 pm
Such a thought- & tear-provoking piece! A painful yet beautiful reminder that time is ever fleeting ❤️
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Donna Thomas
1/29/2020 04:49:01 am
All I can say is beautiful and thank you
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Ivy Taylor
1/29/2020 10:04:37 am
I Absolutely Love This. Sweet Sleep To All That Perished That Day♥️
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Wanda Olley
1/30/2020 07:01:14 am
My prayers go out to Kobe Bryant's family and to the families of those who transitioned with Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Nam myoho renge kyo. 🙏
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