A Curious Juxtaposition

I am fascinated by how the entire world has been affected by the horrific tragedy that took the life of a basketball superstar, his 13 year old daughter and seven other lives including two of her teammates and their parents. A Sunday trip to the girls' basketball tournament with neighbors and friends--Kobe Bryant was known to have used his own helicopter for years so that he could provide more time for family and not be stressed before workouts and games. How’s that for out-of-the-box thinking?

Not much a basketball fan, I knew little about the man. I didn't know he went from high school to the NBA after spending a good part of his childhood living in Italy. I knew he was accused of sexual misconduct years ago, was on trial and then returned to the Lakers. I knew he had since retired and was writing childrens' books. I remember that his interest in animation led him to an Oscar win a few years ago. So, why did this tragedy hit me so hard?

His is a story of redemption--A brash seventeen year old who transforms himself over the course of a 20 year career into a legend known around the globe. He clearly demonstrated neighborliness, friendship and kindness on a regular basis, something perhaps many of us think we would consider as well. This time he offered others a ride to the tournament… A tragic decision.

Work ethic, focus, commitment… Recognition of the responsibility that comes with being looked up to by millions of young people all around the world… Openly speaking of mistakes made, dreams not realized, yet moving forward on this new trajectory… Ever seeking the best.

Then, in a flash it is over, on a steep remote hillside that is difficult to get to leaving us all seeing the smoldering wreckage in the news for days. Simultaneously, we are in the throws of witnessing just the third impeachment trial of a U.S. President in our country's history. This is a curious juxtaposition of two men and what they stand for. Let’s, for a moment, stretch this into a spectrum with basketball legend at one end and impeached U.S. President on the other.

Perhaps Kobe's death and that of his daughter Gianna, as well as the others on board that flight put in stark relief the values to which our country ascribes. Ever the optimist, I have to think this is beyond a senseless tragedy. Rather, it calls into our consciousness the ability for a legend to redeem himself over a lifetime. Where would you place yourself on such a spectrum? I ask each of us to take time to ponder and reflect upon our own work ethic, our own commitments, our own focus and the soul and values our great country represents. Time is indeed precious, and we all have the ability to make a positive difference, to live with purpose. Perhaps it is time for all of us to take a new step forward.

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