52 Thoughts: #4

Powerless Fathers

Kobe Bryant’s death on Sunday January 26, 2020 shook me.

I’ve seen death. I’ve seen death in hospitals and in war zones. I think sometimes because I have experienced death on multiple occasions, in different environments, and occurring with a variety of people; desensitization can set in my life.

Kobe Bryant’s death then took me back to early 2019. His death was significant but it was even more significant because a father died along with his thirteen year old daughter, Gigi.

A father was in a helicopter which crashed on a mountain side and he could do nothing to save his daughter.

Last year, my daughter was hit by a drunk driver on the freeway. She was hit and rolled three times before her car came to rest in a ditch.

I was not there. I could not protect my daughter from the experience. My only thought was to get to her and hold her in my arms. I was angry. I was sad. I was frustrated. I wanted to “do things” to this drunk driver.

I was powerless.

With all his mental prowess. All his mental and physical strength to will a team to victory and championships, I wonder if Kobe felt powerless? I am hopeful he held her to the end.

That was the only thing I could do for my daughter as she wept in a grassy ditch.

Fathers worth their salt love their children. We are willing to walk into hell itself, stand before whatever beast and offer our lives so that our children are safe.

We believe we are powerful.

The last two days have reminded once again there will be some event which we as fathers just will not be able to defeat. We will be rendered powerless in the face of a beast seeking to harm our most precious gifts.

All we can do is hold them every opportunity we possess.

Be unapologetic regarding your passion for your children.

Love and hold your daughters. Love and hold your sons.

Enjoy the moments and don’t be so hard up on figuring everything out.

BE LOVE
BE KIND
BE GENEROUS