The tragic accident on Sunday, January 26, 2020, in which Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna (Gigi), and seven other people lost their lives, has been like a piercing knife grinding in the core of our souls. The loss of life is forever a sore, a lasting ache, and so deeply painful, however, the stories surrounding this fatal crash takes all of that to a heightened level, it seems. It captured our attention initially because of celebrity and sports, however, neither is a match for the layers of love, family, fatherhood, parenting, marriage, protection, teammates and yes, in-the-moment fear of dying. The very thing that we deemed as important has taken a seat to the reality of real life, real love, and real loss…
With a broken heart and somber spirit, trying to wrap my head around what Vanessa Bryant and the families and friends of everyone involved in this accident might be going through, I shake my head with an unfathomable emotion—I can’t begin to really imagine—it’s surreal; it’s unreal; it’s so, so very heartbreaking—just sad. 😦 As we (I sure will) try to process this, spending countless hours watching and reading news reports, documentaries, special tributes, social media posts, and mourning the lives of Kobe and GiGi, let’s be reminded of everyone who suffered loss on this fateful day. And as we continue to grieve with the world and pray, let’s also meditate on a scripture that I happened across (for the first time) on this Monday morning, Psalm 39:4-5…
4 “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.”
May the victims rest in sweet peace and God’s loving, welcoming arms. May their loved ones find peace in knowing that God will give them the strength that they need to comfort their hearts and to start the ever ongoing process of healing their severely wounded hearts. I’ve learned that the pain never disappears. It lies dormant, and we simply rely on our faith in God to help us to manage it—a little better each day, year after year.
Life is so precious. Love your Life. Live your Life. Love on those who you are blessed to have in your “this life.” Yes, This Life–The one that God allows us to wake up to each day.
Peace & Blessings & Prayers,
Lisa B