"Yo its so unreal that Kobe died."

"What???" I asked this one worded question to my friend, while typing frantically on my phone screen. I was at Barnes and nobles, like any other Sunday, trying to block out the world and be productive but inevitably failing to do so. But I couldn't block this out. It was too loud, too sudden. Shocking couldn't give it enough value. And the weirdest thing was….I had an indescribable feeling all day. As if I knew something unexpectedly tragic was bound to happen.

Kobe Bryant. Dead. Only 41 years young, very accomplished yet had such a long life ahead. His daughter, a rising star, only 13 and emerging as a strong empowered female for other females to look up to, especially in the sports world. Both gone in the blink of an eye. A tragedy, and also a reminder that life is short and we need to value every second we have with our loved ones.

These were some of the thoughts I had when first thought about and are still thinking about Kobe and Gianna's sudden death.

1. No way- this is fake. Some fabricated Hollywood hoax. Say it ain't so.
2. Okay so it is real. Why?? How?? A crash ?
3. HIS DAUGHTER TOO???
4. He was only 41. She was only 13. They had their whole lives left to live.
5. What about his wife...the pain she must feel. Or numbness.
6. Drafted at 17 years old, what a future ahead
7. Remember how we used to say Kobe everytime we made a shot? Now it has even more meaning.
8. In this moment, I am a Lakers fan
9. Who could Gianna have been?
10. Would she have been like her father- but redefined?
11. A WNBA star, perhaps?
12. Shooting for the stars, shooting over boys, girls and anyone who tried to block her shot?
13. Would she have been a legend, not because of her father, but because of herself?
14. What about his children….the confusion, the shock.
15. Have they processed it?
16. Will they wake up in the middle of the night, call out his name and expect an answer?
17. Does anyone really get over losing a loved one

No; that one I knew the answer to.He redefined the game.

18. Can't compare him to Michael Jordan, Lebron, Carmelo, Shaq, Iverson, Johnson, Bird- he was Kobe. He made himself.

19. A family man through and through- said he didn't miss basketball because being a father was his full time job.

20. Appreciate the dads out there who would so anything, move heaven and earth for their child.

21. I appreciate my father. I will hold on to him, near and dear.

22.Appreciate the little things, everything, the ups the downs, the annoyances, the thrills, and chills, the laughter and the tears, the rational and irrational fears.

23. Love them . Family. Biological or not. Love them while they're still here

24. And love them when they are gone- but they are never ever truly gone in spirit. Never ever forgotten.

Rest in peach Kobe and Gianna.