No one understands the bond between a daughter and her father until the bond is broken.
“Mamba” definition: large, agile, highly venomous African snake.
Being from California- LA County, Kobe was symbolic to the African American culture and basketball. Watching his games made it look so easy to shoot and actually make a three pointer. So effortlessly…
I was the tallest one in my class but not that athletic, I had asthma for most of my childhood. My mom put me in soccer, it didn’t last long since I was allergic to the grass. I managed to get into dance. I did hip hop, ballet and tap I loved it but as they say all good things come to an end. By fifth grade, I had a friend who was on the basketball team. I joined her since they needed more girls and I was tall. I was center but I never really understood the game.
I struggled to keep up but I always tried my hardest. I would dripple at home and shoot the ball up in the air but my team was no good. We might have won one game during the whole season. My school was low budget and probably the most diverse in the district. My third grade teacher, Mr. Volk was the coach, he had no assistance. I guess he was picked to be the coach because he was tall and slim but not really in shape.
We all did what we could with what we had.
Jerseys that were too big and in white and black, missing our main school color, yellow. We still had pride. Still hustled and sweated like crazy even though we were getting our butts kicked.
Little me didn’t have much going on so I continued to try to learn the game and played in middle school. It was rough, most of the girls from my elementary team were the same on my middle school team.
We still had pride at our games and hopes that we would win even though Kobe would’ve wanted us to player smarter and better, those of us who were on the team and played did our best. I believed in myself that I could do it because of players like Kobe.
Kobe had games when everyone in the stands was against him. He didn’t let it get him down. He knew who he was and what he stood for. He loved basketball and it opened so many doors for him. He met millions of people and inspired them to be a better version of themselves and try a little harder.
Not that it’s anyone’s business but when he and his wife had a hard time, they managed to tough it out and stay together because they loved each other. It’s hard being on a team. To stand side by side and stay strong while it feels like you’re drowning in turmoil is not just an easy dribble that ends with a successful layup. Being on a team can be messy, some struggle with it everyday and would rather isolate themselves but together, Vanessa and Kobe they created a family four beautiful girls. Rest in Peace Mambacita.
I relate to Kobe’s daughters Bianka, Natalia and especially Capri. I was her at one point. I lost my dad when I was two years old. While my older sisters knew him I can’t even remember what his voice sounds like. I was a daddy’s girl I know for a fact from pictures but I always thought that maybe he wasn’t gone and that I’d run into him in the grocery store. These poor girls don’t have their dad or their sister. I can imagine that they feel like their family is broken, but as long as they have each other it’s still complete even though it hurts.
I wish I could go home and hug my mom just because this was so unexpected and not the way it was supposed to go for any of the families involved.
Being in New York is hard they don’t understand the culture of Los Angeles and how deep the Laker pride is because of Kobe Bryant. It’s difficult but I know we will heal and overcome this difficult time of loss. As Kobe would, do I’m pushing through and making the best of each and everyday. I love my family, friends and community.
Don’t remember the one bad thing someone did versus all the good they did, it’s not the way you would want to be remembered.
Rest in Peace
Kobe Bryant
Gianna Bryant
John Altobelli
Keri Altobelli
Alyssa Altobelli
Christina Mauser
Sarah Chester
Payton Chester
Ara Zobayan
Lauren Turner Dunn — Portfolio 