My deepest love and condolences goes out to everyone in that helicopter and the family and friends who have been affected by all of this. We are praying for all of you…

I put this on my site to because I had a lot on my mind and wanted to talk about the details. I also wanted to share my visits to Staples Center on the week of the accident and the day of the memorial. I was fortunate to have gone to both, and as a photographer I felt that it was important for me to document these days. I’ve been writing these throughout the month- so some it is in past and present tense.

This is for you, Black Mamba…

Today is January 29, 2020-I’ve been crying these past 3 days with sadness, frustration, and confusion, thinking that this is all just a really bad dream. As I sit here thinking of any words to put down, there are so, so many things that come to mind that have inspired me in some shape or form to write to you. Whether it was on the basketball court, in an interview before or after the game, or even one of your documentaries, you have shaped me to be the person I am today. You have inspired me through your hard work ethics, your words of encouragement, sharing your deepest and saddest moments in your own life….but most importantly, leading by great example as a father, family, and friend. 

The Lakers purple and gold colors run deep in my family blood. As a kid, my mom wouldn’t let me watch the games until I was finished with my schoolwork. And when I couldn’t finish in time before tipoff, I could hear mom yelling at the TV through the walls as she watched them without me. I didn’t buy many basketball shoes, but when you signed with the Lakers, I bought me a pair of Adidas KB8’s. I will always remember those shoes because the design was so different. Laker fans loved the shoes but Kobe/Laker haters thought that they were ugly.There were times when I was feeling low in life, and I turned to you for support so that I can get back on my feet. I would watch old footage of you striving to be the greatest both on and off the basketball court. From your mamba mentality to hit those game winning shots to watching you be a guest speaker all throughout the world, you have instilled the motivation to “be the best version of yourself.” 

Kobe, next week will be a month since you passed, and we continue to hear many new stories of people from all around the world of the impact you had in their lives. From art murals to skyline buildings to your favorite places to eat, it makes me miss you more, while at the same time inspires me to work hard to live a happy and fulfilling life while I’m still on this earth. Now that you and the others are laid to rest, I just want you to know that we miss you and to look over us. Thank you for so many memories of you that I will never ever forget.

Today is 2.24.20, which was the memorial for Kobe and Gianna at Staples Center. I didn’t go inside for this event, but I decided last minute to go anyways because I still wanted to be nearby and around the die hard Laker fans. It has been a tough month for me since this tragedy happened, so I needed to be in LA so I can grieve and celebrate their life with the rest of the city. I carpooled with my brother, Brian and our friend, Walter to LA. They had tickets to the memorial…and with me- I didn’t have a game plan of where I was going to watch the memorial because they were not going televise it at LA Live or anywhere on the streets. Luckily, my cousin, Michelle, had a hotel room at Luxe, which was right across the street from Staples Center. Once I parked the car, I met with Michelle, her 2 daughters, and her mom. We had a small breakfast downstairs and watched the memorial at their room afterwards. The memorial and life tribute was very well organized. Watching Vanessa Bryant go up to talk about Gigi and Kobe was heartbreaking but still beautiful to see her speak in person since the tragic accident . I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to speak so elegantly to all of us. I commend her for doing that and am very happy that we got to see her as well as the others speak on behalf of everyone involved.  

After the memorial was over, we all walked outside to check out the merchandise that they were selling on every corner. Since Walter had to rush to work and Michelle had to check out of her hotel, we parted ways and I met up with Brian to stay in LA for a little longer. Since we didn’t have a timeline of when to go back home, we decided to hop on the city scooters and check out the Kobe and Gigi murals that were all around the downtown area. We were able to visit 4 of them, all within a few miles apart from each other. Luckily, we were able to meet 2 of the artists that created the mural and hear their story. The last mural was inside Grand Central Market, so we hung out and ate there and had a few beers before taking the train back home. 

With me leaving work early on Sunday and then having to go to work at night on the day of the memorial, I got 2 hours of sleep, then had to be up for 26 hours before I was able to go back to sleep. I’ve never been so tired in my life but was so glad that I was able to go to DTLA to watch the memorial, celebrate life with all of the Laker fans, visit 3 wall murals, all while hanging out with friends and family who love the Lakers as much as I do. Kobe and the Lakers have made such a big impact in my life. I’ve been so sad from all of this but I feel so fortunate and a little more at ease for being able to mourn and celebrate Kobe’s life. 

Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read my story. Have a blessed day.

Peace and love, ya’ll. Mamba Out.