Inspiring A Generation

picture grabbed from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/sports/kobe-bryant-death.html

Dear Self,

Today is a sad day for sports. Now, I'm not a basketball fan, but I do know about Kobe Bryant - he is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time. Apparently, he died today after the helicopter he was on crashed. On that flight were his daughter, as well as another family, and the pilot, all of whom were headed for a game that his daughter was supposedly playing in (and I think he was going to coach?).

Anyway, to be considered a legendary sports star, you practically have to transcend beyond your sport. You have to be big enough so that people who don't even watch the sport you play in know about you. That's exactly how Kobe Bryant was - everyone knew about him, or at least heard his name. Just like Michael Jordan. Or Roger Federer. Or Cristiano Ronaldo. Perhaps, even Serena Williams. The magnitude of his fame is really hard to put into words.

Many would consider his death untimely. Perhaps, it is - at 41 years old, recently retired, he definitely could have done a lot more things in this world. He left behind a wife and three other kids. Three other kids - I think that could be the most tragic part about this whole fiasco. He had one of his daughters with him on that ill-fated helicopter flight, and they shared their last moments of terror together. Although, certainly, amidst that fear, there was probably LOVE. And lots of it.

The entire world is devastated by his passing. Tributes are everywhere. But, you know what, this mourning, too, shall pass. And what will remain is the legacy he left behind in the sport of basketball. He will be remembered fondly, no doubt. Perhaps he is among the lucky ones to leave this world with his name etched in the pages of history. Most of us will be forgotten in time... but people like him, like Michael Jackson before him, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Corazon Aquino... they have all made their mark in this world. In the end, that's all we ever dream about.

Sincerely,

Lagundi

P.S. How ironic is it that yesterday, I couldn't stop listening to Last Flight Out. Now, this happens. Additionally, another flight, this time an airplane in Afghanistan, crashed. Foreshadowing? It's a little disturbing to think about.

P.P.S. I didn't really get emotional about his passing until I found out he won an Oscar for this short film. Wow, this one just gives you all the feels - Dear Basketball