We all know life comes to an end at some point, yet we live life as if we are promised tomorrow. There are moments where even I have said “I’ll just do it tomorrow”. I’m not promised tomorrow. I have lived 18 years of life and I have lost loved ones along the way, I have been through rough times that shape me who I am today. I plan on living much more, but we never know.

There are always those random nights laying in my bed where I think of death. The idea just randomly pops up into my head. I used to be terrified of it, but I have learned to accept that it is inevitably going to happen. I live my life worrying about my future knowing it is going to end, but so does everyone else. I make goals for myself and plan out where I hope to be in my 30’s, but anything could happen. I feel like I have lived most of my life not realizing everything I have and not expressing my gratitude for it.

On January 26, 2020 the world lost an icon, Kobe Bryant, and many others including his daughter Gianna Bryant. Kobe’s death was a shock to everyone and a pain to everyone. Kobe was easily one of the greatest to ever play basketball, but he was more than basketball. He was an icon to everyone who ever heard him speak or watch him play. His mentality and hunger to win is what most inspired me, the “Mamba Mentality”.

What I think hurt most was to see not only Kobe pass, but all the young lives and passengers on the helicopter. When I heard Kobe was with his daughter on that helicopter my heart sank. The world came together to honor Kobe, Gigi, and everyone else on that helicopter. At that moment everyone realized “I could die tomorrow”, “My loved ones could die tomorrow”. Everyone realized we have been taking some aspects of our lives for granted. I realized I was taking my family for granted. I was too into this new independence I was experiencing from living at college, that I did not realize how little time I spent with my family. The hardest things bring the best lessons, and so far from what I have experienced in my life I would consider that to be true.

Life is not promised, so tell your loved ones how much you truly appreciate them and live life the way you want to live it.