DAMN….

 

What can you say when you lose someone so fast, so unexpected, and too soon..? I was planning do a little book report/review post on the book I’m currently reading on stress but with the tragic news of the legendary Laker Kobe Bryant passing, I decided to dedicate this post to my childhood idol growing up.

 

Dear Kobe,

Man, I can’t believe you’re gone! My older brother used to call me ‘Kobe’ growing up so maybe that’s why I felt a connection to you when you came into the league back in 1996. I can still remember wearing your first Adidas signature shoes in middle school and trying to ‘be like Kobe.’ It feels like yesterday you were an NBA rookie competing in the dunk contest with your between the leg dunk. I’ll never forget being at the Christmas game with my cousin back when you were going against Shaq and the Miami Heat for the first time since being traded away, willing the Lakers to win because I know how much winning that game meant to you. Coming back from 13 points down to start the 4^th quarter in the 2000 Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Crossing up Pippen and throwing the lob to Shaq will be etched in my memory, forever. Man, I still get goosebumps watching that video. Putting up 60 points on your final game and leaving the court in true Mamba style, “Mamba out” going out on your terms.

Congratulating LeBron on passing you on the all-time scoring list during the game shows that you are a fan of the game first and a true Laker legend. Your graciousness welcoming LeBron to Los Angeles and the Lakers makes me respect and admire you even more. Transitioning from athlete to retirement can be hard for a lot of players but you planned your ‘life after basketball’ by staying curious and continuing to learn/grow. Winning an Oscar for your film ‘Dear Basketball’ just 2 years removed from the game…are you kidding me?? Your relentless pursuit of excellence and tireless work ethic in everything you do is something I aspire to every day. F*ck, I just want someone to shake me awake and tell me it’s just a bad dream! You meant so much to the game of basketball, Los Angeles, and the world. You will be missed today, tomorrow, forever…

Love,
Kevin

 

One of the first thoughts that came to my mind after hearing the tragic news was, you really never know when it’s your time. This past week has been pretty exhausting with work, school, and volunteering. Volunteering at the hospital on Friday night, there was a newly admitted patient in a lot of pain, having trouble breathing. As a volunteer, you help out where you can and this particular shift left me with the feeling that nursing is what I was put on this earth to do. I stayed with this patient for about 45 minutes, getting to know her, her family, helping her with her dinner and trying to distract her from the pain she was feeling by making her laugh. When I told her my shift was over and that I was leaving, she was sad and said she had hoped I could stay longer. She thanked me for making her laugh and helping relieve this cramp she was having in her leg haha. Although we had just barely met, I felt a connection with her and thanked her for making me laugh as we played along with a game show we were watching on tv in her room. Someone recently said that the nursing profession can be really tough at times but so rewarding because every shift you have the chance to touch someone’s life or vice versa, someone can touch yours. You never know what impact you’re going to leave on someone, thank you, Kobe, for touching my life, my memories, and my heart. RIP #8 #24 ❤

QOTP: “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.” – Kobe Bryant