Mamba Out...

There are certain events that happen in life that you'll never forget where you were... I jus left the studio and was driving to ref a basketball game when I get a text from my cousin...

January 26, 2020

2:33pm

West - Yo did Kobe die????

Me - Naw LBJ jus passed him on the scoring list last night

West - I'm not playing bro

Me - Lol I kno, he's been all over the news last night since LBJ passed him so it feels like that

West - I'm being dead ass I think he died in a crash

Me - What you mean

West - Bro the n!$$@ got into an accident

Me - Rewind

West - Helicopter crash

Me - When

I quickly go onto safari open up google search put in Kobe dies in crash... nothing but a random news link I've never heard of... keep refreshing... couple more random outlets with the same news... finally TMZ reports... so you know its gotta be true...

Me - yo this is definitely true fellas

Me - S#!t is crazy

L - S#!t is crazy

so many thoughts came crashing into my head... damn Kobe jus died... this s#!t is crazy... did this jus really happen... naw this jus can't be... not Kobe Bean Bryant... not one of the best ball players in my generation... can't be so, I jus saw and interview with him last night talking bout how honored he is that LeBron jus passed him for 3rd on the all time scoring list... thoughts jus keep racing in... I parked the car, looked thru google again to confirm the news and sure enough at this point every news outlet is reporting the same story... Kobe Bryant dead at 41 years old... gone to damn soon... I walk into the gym and the first person I see... we looked at each and we both started shaking our heads I knew exactly what he was thinking nothing needed to be said... as the game gets ready to start myself and the other ref, the scorekeeper and the young lady doing the books are all commenting and talking about the news... game starts, my Apple Watch keeps buzzing... I so badly wanna see what's being said, how everything went down... I badly wanna read my text messages but I'm working and I can't stop what I'm doing... the game must go on... finally a time-out... I head for my phone only to read that his daughter Gigi has passed away also at the young age of 13... damn that hit even harder... like damn its one thing for Kobe to die but for his daughter to pass also at such a young age with so much damn life to live... wow s#!t is crazy... game starts back up and my mind is legit all over the place thinking bout life and how we take so much for granted... I start thinking bout my kids and wishing I was with them at that moment... even jus to see them and to give them a big ass hug and kiss... 41 and 13 years old... way too young... gone too soon... then it hits me... oh damn that's the same age I'll be in 5 years and damn that's the same age Geni's gonna be in 5 years... dam s#!t is crazy... that jus made things feel even more so real... even more so different... through all these thoughts the game continues... for as with life regardless when we go... life must continue... the game must go on... my heart is heavy for the thought of what Kobe left behind... a wife and 3 daughters... one that's not a even a year old.. she won't even get to remember her dad, she'll only have the pictures the memories that her mom has, that her sisters have... that they'll all share with her... but it won't be the same because it won't be her own personal memories... my thoughts quickly go to me losing my dad and I can relate.. that pain will never leave you... there will always be moments that remind you of that loss... damn Kobe really jus died... I wasn't a big Kobe fan because he played for the Lakers and I'm a diehard Celtics fan but I respected him and his game... he played the game the right way... gave it all he had and left everything on the court... this really hit hard... he was the first true sports icon who's entire career I was able to witness... the first major basketball superstar that's passed that I got to see play from high school all the way thru the pros and now he's gone... life is so short and so precious... we take from granted the days we have... we dwell on things that are unimportant... we hold grudges with friends and love ones for no reason... never knowing when our last breath will come... here today, gone tomorrow... life is too short... his passing is reminder to enjoy life, make the best of everything... hold no grudges... love freely and forgive willingly... smile daily and enjoy life with those that make you happy and that add to your smile... hug and kiss my kids often... laugh and don't take life too seriously... make the best of every opportunity given to me... call and check on those that are dear to me often... so that if they pass I'll have no regrets... the game must go on... never forget Mamba mentality... keep pushing for greatness and live life... Mamba Out...