I wrote this last night. The night of the helicopter crash that took 9 lives to include the OCC’s Baseball coach, his wife and daughter. Kobe Bryant and his daughter, another mother and daughter, the girls basketball coach and the pilot.
As I sit here putting my own children to sleep I can’t help but feel for the families affected. Kobe Bryant was a legend but that was a very small part of him. Like me, he was a father to four children two of which will have to grow up without his guidence, wisdom and loving voice to share the special times with. Loosing someone is never easy but to loose a father and sister at a young age. For his wife to loose him of course is hard but what resonates with me is loosing a child. Every family involved left behind spouses, children, siblings, or parents. I feel for them and I know the hurt will never leave I hope eventually it softens.
As a father I find stuff like this hits a little harder and a little closer to home. I find comfort though. I find comfort in knowing none of those children were without a loved one at the end. They had a parent I’m sure holding them as tight as possible whispering comforting word in their ear assuring them that everything will be ok.
I held my family a little closer tonight. I told them “I love you” a few more times. I made sure my last thought, my last vision, and the last thing they saw of me was smiles and happiness because you truly never know when it’ll be the last. Take this sad and unfortunate news as motivation to grow the bond you have with your loved ones. So from a father to all you fathers out there go give you kids a hug and kiss!!! They deserve it and so do you.
