Dear Kobe,

As a child
I too rolled up my dad’s tube socks
To shoot imaginary
Game-winning shots
In the home of the Lakers
But when I shot I shouted one word;

Kobe!

That word was more than just your name
Rather it was me speaking
Success into existence.

There was a time
When I had no interest
In the game you loved
But then you brought
Your passion for it to LA.

And so I watched.
I saw you lunge and dive
After every loose ball.
I saw you pour your heart
Into every breath and every shot
Your passion for the game captivated me.

Through the years
You won 3 straight championships
As I made the leap to high school.
You broke records and faced adversities
While I met THE girl.
You won two more and I got my BA.

Simply said,
I grew up watching you.

Your retirement felt like a great loss
Leaving an empty void.
See, the truth was
I was a Kobe fan first
And a Laker fan second.

But now it’s time to say goodbye
To really say goodbye.

But even though you’re gone
I’ll continue to be that kid
With the balled up trash
Garbage can in the corner
:05 seconds on the clock
Ball in my hands.
5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1 …Kobe!

With Love,
Aaron