I've never been a "Kobe fan." Honestly, I really didn't like him very much as a player. I thought he was extremely arrogant and had a slick mouth. I tend to be more old school than new school. Magic, Isaiah, Kemp, Drexler, Mourning and etc. You get what I'm saying. However, once Kobe retired I gave him a second look and saw all of his off the court contributions and I began to see him in a different light.
I have no idea what Vanessa and her family are feeling or going through. I can only imagine the uncertainty, loneliness, sadness, and pain she must be experiencing. My heart and prayers go out to them during this difficult and emotional time. Not only did she lose her husband...she lost a child. I pray that they felt no pain, but that they both were holding each other and it happened quickly. And once they opened their eyes, they beheld our Lord and Savior welcoming them into the Kingdom.
I look at the videos and photos of him and GiGi and get a lump in my throat. I never had and never will know the unconditional love of a father for his daughter. You can feel the genuineness just looking at them. There is something magical about the love of a father and his daughter. I am so glad that my own daughter not only has the heart of her biological father, but she gets the added love of her bonus dad. And I know without a doubt that, they ABSOLUTELY ADORE her and would walk through fire for her. Even though my earthly father chose not to be a part of my life growing up I had 3 very special "father figures" who took me and loved me( at different stages of my life) as if I was their own. And I am thankful.
So as the days pass I will keep these families in my prayers. Once the daily media coverage ends and all the family and friends have gone back to their homes, that is when the healing really begins. The work to start a new normal begins. The hard part begins. Love on your children, spouses, family. Know that I love ya. Mean it.
"Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise." Psalm 90:12 NCV
