Dating : Dear Kobe,

I was in 5th grade when I started to play basketball. During that time I also lost my dad and it was a hard for me and my family. I needed some sort of hobby/activity to keep my mind off the situation because I was lost. I was 11 years old back in 1996 when I first saw and heard of you. You were a 17 year old skinny young kid from Philadelphia with crazy talent and charisma. I remember watching the NBA all star weekend were you participated in the sprite slam dunk competition. Your final dunk you ran from the top of the three point line and you put the ball in between your legs and slammed it. May God, I have never seen anything like it before and it blew my mind! From that day on I was a fan. After school I would watch every laker game that was on tv. Every inside stuff interview of you, I watched, every sports center high light of you I watched.

Your brash style as a player and your insane athleticism is what drew me to you. I idolized you so much. Everything you did, I emulated. From your baby afro, to the way you wore your wristband on your left arm, the way you stuck your tongue out like Micheal Jordan every time you drove to the basket, the way you shot the ball, the way you walked, how you would look at the opposite crowd after you made a shot etc. I copied it to a tee. I grew up literally wanting to be just like you and when I was on the court playing ball, I felt that I was you. Unstoppable.

You’re more than a basketball player to me, you’re a hero, father, brother, mentor, friend and an inspiration. When I heard the news about your tragic accident, oh my God, I was lost for words, my knees buckled, I wanted to break down and cry. Physically I had to gather myself because I was at work during that time but deep inside emotionally I I was gone, I couldn’t believe it. I thought it was a sick prank made up online. Then it was all over the news, it was confirmed. Sad part is you were with your 13 year old daughter Gigi when it happened. Wow. The love of my life, my super hero is gone. I cried 3 times when I got home, knowing that I won’t be able to see the other great things that you could have done is devastating. I love you Kobe. With all my heart, I love you. I miss you everyday. Thank you for all the memories that you gave me as a kid growing up in the philippines. Mamba lives on and mamba will never be forgotten.

Rest in power Kobe Bean Bryant.

“If you see me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear’’

Kobe Bryant