A Letter to Kobe

Dear Kobe,

Some kids had their capes,
Some kids had their princess dresses,
Some kids had their toy guns,

But me
I had my Kobe Bryant jersey.
And every time I put on that jersey
I was invincible.

I could do anything I wanted to without fear,
Without a doubt in my mind that I could and would do it.
Because I knew You could do anything and everything You wanted to.

When times were hard at home
I knew I could put on My Kobe jersey
Turn on the Lakers game,
Watch You,
And escape.

I knew everything would be better with You.
Because You were My Hero.
You were My happiness and beyond.
You were the Black Mamba.

The Black Mamba with the Mamba Mentality.
At first, I thought the Mamba Mentality was just toward the game
But, You taught me that it’s a Lifestyle
Toward everything you did.
On and off the court.

So, I  became comfortable taking off My Kobe jersey 
Because I knew if I had that Mamba Mentality toward life,
I had You with me.

Now that you’re gone
It shatters my Heart, Spirit, and Soul
But, I know I still have You
And even though I need My Kobe jersey to get me through this
I know if I use Your Mamba Mentality toward all that I do
I still have You.

Thank you Kobe, you will always and forever live in my heart and in my mentality.

- Izzy Colindres