My mother once told me how the country basically shut down when JFK was assassinated.
The loss was just too much for America to deal with.
Such, for me and millions of others was the tragic loss of Kobe Bean Bryant.
Many tears were shed the other night listening to Lakers #RickFox talking with the Inside the #NBA Crew about being initially listed as on the Helicopter with #KobeandGianna.
This is beyond surreal, and, yet it's real life.
Derek Fisher observed that it was unfortunate that it took this event for us all to appreciate the total person that was #Kobe. His depth, his commitment beyond basketball.
But make no doubt that his Shrine was on the Court.
Dwayne Wade noted that #NBA is a Brotherhood, and Kobe was the leader of this Brotherhood.
"We were trying to make him proud of us. " Believe it.
InsideTheNBA is like church tonight. It’s cathartic. #MambaForever
The legacy of KobeBryant is that he is destined to become the Icon to beat all icons.
His brand and influence will live on forever.
He'll never grow old, he'll be fully realized, a champion, a parent, someone who was great, who never settled for 2nd place.
Two distinct personas in #8 and #24.
A global icon with so many iconic moments ALL on tape. Forever.
Add to this the fact that there will be thousands of deeply felt vivid testimonials and remembrances from all walks of life about the #Mamba.
Again, ALL on tape (actually, digital bits).
#KobeBryant is more than James Dean. He's Bono, he's Picasso, James Dean and JFK.
He is a meme, hero, artist, inventor, legend, truth and more than that.
For time immemorial.