Dear KB,

Dear KB,

It's been a week since I heard the tragic news about you, your daughter, and the other 7 lives that were taken in a moment. It was a helicopter crash.... I remember exactly where I was, exiting church, almost baffled by the text my mom sent. It was then when floods of news reports that continued to boggle my mind.

Your death woke up the world.

I remembered yesterday, we were just watching Lebron pass your scoring record and you were on instagram as any person would be. No one thought much of it, until one day you were here and the next you were not.

Your death shook me to the very core and really it took about a week to process and understand it all. First, it struck a fear in me that I never experienced before with any other "celebrity death" and to be honest, I wasn't sure why. Yes, like many other people in my life and in LA, I grew up watching you. I watched every maneuver, every jump shot, every detail of the game you helped form into what it is today- basketball. But honestly, it wasn't the mamba mentality nor the basketball skills that struck me; it was actually your humility and your genuineness that made you different than most. When I met you, it was literally a once in a life time moment. I remember studying at a coffee shop with my apartment mates and you were there just getting a cup of coffee and to my surprise no one noticed you. I remember looking at my best friend and we were both freaking out inside, but I kept telling myself " play it cool, play it cool. It's juuuuusssttt KOBEEEE!!" After a quick 5 second debate to run after you, we did! We got a picture and you saw I wore a UCI sweatshirt and you asked us what we studied. I will never forget that nod when I told you I wanted to become a PT. You took a picture with us, it was simple but it made our days. You knew that, that's why you would do that. Not only with us but with many. I think that's why it has been so hard for many, although you didn't know every fan, you had a way of connecting with fathers, daughters, basketball players and made them feel special by walking this journey with you ( during season and even after).

Secondly, my heart went out to the families involved and the kids and the families left behind. I can't imagine how drastic their lives have changed in a split second, losing people they loved and cared for. The pain, the sorrow, the grieving, it's like a hole that may take years and years to recover.

But lastly, your death has helped me realize more about God and Christ Himself. It helped me realize that God is not just king in our lives, but King of our lives and life itself. God has complete control over when we live and when we die. It caused me to be urgent in living purposefully, because life is short and it is fragile; precious because death has no partiality- celebrity, young, old. It comes for everyone, but the question I had to ask myself- would I be ready? It's dark and I went into a hole of anxiousness. Although reverence of God is important, it led me down a path of lies. It made me see God as one who held my life by a thread, ready to cut my string, rather than seeing Him hold me in His hands with care. It caused me to pray unceasingly and be thankful but grow anxious and scared how God would take me next. Would it be tonight? Would it be tomorrow? is this car going to hit me and kill me? I grew more anxious about the process of death more than understanding truth that whether live or die, I will be safe because I am in and with Christ until the end. And lastly, again it helped me realize that man, it felt like Kobe's death wasn't supposed to happen this soon. His daughter had so much going for her. And humanly speaking, that is true. But in processing all this, it made me realize that a death that silenced the world and shocked it in so many ways, this is nothing compared to the victory Christ had over death, yet, no one talks about it like we do with Kobe. Kobe, you were a legend, on and off the court. As I see videos and highlights of the game and you being a dad, it seems like it was almost unfair to see you go so soon and tragically. But Jesus... now Jesus not only died, but He rose. Not even the King of ball could raise himself up like the King of All. Anyways, to end this, your death was not in vain. You should see the love poured out from all the fans. You even got the haters to write something good. KB, you made a difference in this world for many, and my hope is that you knew Jesus. But even more so, it caused me to not only see the truth that we are just a mist that comes and goes. Life is precious and it is short in light of eternity. After your death, I've been waking up every morning thankful for life and every moment within it ( good, bad, or struggle)- at least I am alive. I take hold to your pursuit of excellency, but also understand that the purpose of it all is for God. So with all this said, thank you Kobe for the impact you've made on so many, including mine. Thank you for unknowingly waking my soul up to live for better things-prepare for eternity, it isn't too far way.

E.O.