humility

Kobe Bryant died yesterday.
There was a helicopter crash, and in fact, several people died, including Kobe Bryant's 13 year-old daughter, Gianna, and two other middle-school age students.
This is devastating news for the families impacted. The overwhelming response to Kobe Bryant's loss reveals just how much we connect with and conjure relationships with celebrities and entertainers. It prompted a very meaningful conversation with two guys from the church that I attend. In that way, it surprised me how meaningful this loss is.

Today I went to the hospital to try to deal with a bill from our extended stay back in the summer of 2018. Hospitals traffic in death, even though they exist to prolong life. Walking away, I was reminded of how humbling hospitals are.

If you need to be reminded of the fragility of life, of the importance of your relationships, I encourage you to wake up early one morning, drive on over to the nearest hospital, and venture to the cafeteria for breakfast. Get yourself something decent and take a seat for a while. Notice those going through the line. Notice those seated and eating. Then, walk a few halls. If you don't walk away with a different perspective on the day, let alone your relationships and the things that matter to you, I will be surprised.

I'm terribly sad for Kobe Bryant's family. In the immediacy, his wife and family have to plan two funerals. Soon, his wife will probably have to connect with lawyers and financial advisers who have managed Kobe Bryant's contractual obligations and wealth. There are three living daughters surviving this death, one that is not even a year old. A mother is grieving. Daughters are certainly confused and scared. Things can change so very fast, and when they do, we all tend to be a bit more humble and thankful and kind. Wouldn't it be nice if we could remember this lesson, and walk through life each day living it out?