Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant (1978-2020) was a professional basketball player who spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and was regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. He retired after the 2015–16 season, and died at age 41, along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others, in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on January 26, 2020.
via Jeanne Love, August 21, 2020
"I really came today to speak about LOVE. What I came to understand about love, how I held it in my heart and how I charge all of you to continue to foster the immense heart of the world."
I feel very privileged to be a part of this network of Cosmic Voices. And I have taken some time to decide if I even wanted to be part of this because, well, my family might not be on the same page with this. However, I have felt strongly that I must say something. That I must connect with others, if at all possible.
And I thank you for allowing me to come into your home. It is a really full home! But it is full of love and that is what I wanted to talk about today.
LOVE. I didn’t always love freely or easily. Sometimes, especially when I was younger, I had to determine if I liked someone or not. Do you remember your youth and how everything seemed to have to be black or white - no in between? Well, that was kind of like that for me. I was very talented in my younger years and things came easily to me so I had this overinflated idea of who I was and how I should be seen by others. Kind of had this "worship me as the messiah" type of thing. Like everyone else in their youth, I had my share of reminders that that was not the case and that I had a lot to learn emotionally. Vanessa helped me a lot with that but there were times when I didn’t really want to see anything else in my life except Basketball.
It has been reported that I had other skills and talents. While that is true, it took me a while to balance those other skills with my basketball persona. Towards the end of my life I began to really “get it”. After Vanessa and I separated I had to take a really deep look into myself and what I wanted in my life, how I wanted to be remembered. Would I just be this exceptional basketball jock or would I have skills and positive attributes beyond the outer world’s view of me?
And it also struck me how I wanted to be seen, experienced as someone who took really good care of his family. I began to step into that role more completely after I turned 30. I was so young when all the attention began. I was cocky and determined. And now here I am, fulfilling a self-prophecy I once was recorded as saying: I wanted to make this huge impression in my basketball talent, be seen as the best, and then die young to fully etch my memory in the minds of millions. What a dork! I think that I honestly felt that but my youthful enthusiasm spoke it more as a "F(*&k the world I will do what I want" kind of thing, than saying that type of statement with any finesse or wisdom. Certainly, as a dad and husband I would never want to consciously create that kind of martyrdom.
At any rate, that is enough about me and my arrogance and younger-year perceptions. I really came today to speak about LOVE. What I came to understand about love, how I held it in my heart and how I charge all of you to continue to foster the immense heart of the world.
I had finally come to a place within myself where I could honestly say I was complete with retiring from basketball. I loved the game, but my body was pretty damaged. Being very tall and playing constantly for all those years takes it toll. It was a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to that world -- that world that opened so many doors for me. Like many men, I had my moments of blindness and very inappropriate behavior. But I am glad that forgiveness can also be on the table and that I was able to redeem myself as much as I could by continuing to lead a much more exemplary life.
The thing is, when the copter was struggling to right itself, I did see my family in front of my eyes. I was tightly holding onto Gigi and praying. We had a moment or two to pray. I was frightened. I didn’t want this to be the end, but I had this sinking feeling that it would be the last time I would successfully take a breath of air. I prayed for help to manage my feelings. I remember looking around the cabin and seeing everyone else’s’ horror at what we were experiencing. There was no time for words. And then it was done. And yet I was still “alive,” or so I thought. We all got up and walked out of the copter. It was a mangled mess. Then we collectively looked at one another, realizing "uh-oh." What happened after that was kind of a blur. Gigi was crying as were the other girls. But none of us felt any physical pain. That was incredible in and of itself.
You know, it pays to go to church. I had gone to church that morning before our trip up to Calabasas. I have no idea why, but this image of angels, mixed with a few people I knew who were deceased, began to fill my vision. It caught me off-guard, trying to process all the stimulation of the moment. But I heard this soothing voice come to me and reach out and touch my arm. Kobe, “Come with me, bring Gigi too”. And then there was this bright light. Yeah, this bright light, just like people have talked about. And there was this warm comfortable feeling of being safe and protected without a care or worry in the world. And that is when I began to realize that I was no longer on earth. And of course, I had to ask if this was heaven. The person taking me through the light wall said, “DO you want it to be?” And I responded, “well, yeah, because I don’t want to go to that other place. HA HA. What a doofus.“ Because I don’t want to go to that other place, like it was up to me to make that decision!”
I don’t remember exactly how I got to the next place, but I found myself at this beautiful lake scene. The most beautiful, rich colors, sounds and voices. There was no one else there but me, or so I thought. All of a sudden, I was alone with myself. No angels, choirs, pearly gates. It was then that I finally knew the truth about life. While I was sitting in this reflective space I was overcome with the presence of LOVE. It was the most intense LOVE I have EVER experienced. As I sat there, I was overcome with the emotions of the moment. I looked around for Gigi but she was not anywhere around me. I learned later that she had been taken to a different area to help her in a similar fashion but with more help. She wasn’t alone.
I have no idea how long I was in that “space” but when I became aware that there was a person next to me, I almost didn’t want to break the spell of what I was experiencing.
Fast forward to where I am now. I am happy to report that I am still in that field of LOVE. I promised myself that I would never, ever leave this place. When the others talk of being alive, still, they are so correct. There is no death. It took me a while to adjust to that concept because truly I had a more limited view of life after death.
The hardest part for me was and is trying to connect with my family. It is bittersweet. I know that Vanessa experiences me but is not quite sure how to place all the experiences she is having. She is so strong. She has always been the stronger one. My girls, well, they are so beautiful, brilliant. My littlest one sees me. That is a trip. Both Gigi and I have agreed to send out love to mom and the girls daily. We have been schooled as to what is appropriate and what is not.
Gigi and I want so much for our family not to suffer. I want them to know that death is only a tragedy for those still here. For us…well, we were welcomed with open arms, with beauty and understanding. I was sort of expecting to see Christ and experience Godlike things. Well, I have, but in a very different form because everything over here that I have experienced is filled with LOVE. It never stops. People who were broken in the physical world are whole here. Those people who were lost are FOUND here. Those whose hearts who were filled with hatred and want to heal their own heart, are working to forgive their past mistakes.
WE are ALIVE.
What would I leave with you in this last bit of Kobe wisdom? -- If there is such a thing -- To understand, seek and know that GOD IS EVERYWHERE. And He/She can be found in the simplest of things and experiences. God is the work of LOVE and how we treat one another. God is in every living creature. We must honor that. We must honor this creation we are participating in because it is GOD and the reverence that we might perpetuate for a few minutes a week needs to change into being perpetual…perpetual LOVE.
As you think of me, if you do on occasion, think of me as you would an old friend who has “gone home.” Be grateful that you have known me but be even more grateful to know that I finally SEE God, in each and every one of you. I am still here, wanting to continue to make an impact, to make a difference. Not because I am Kobe Bryant, but because I am a child of GOD -- of Love. Through my own death I have found new life.
The world needs all of you more than ever. The world needs you to remember that LOVE is ALL there IS. And that love knows no boundaries, colors, shapes, or sizes. Love does not determine who is worthy or who is not worthy. There is no judgement in LOVE. There is only the Truth that we come from love and then when it is time, we return back to Love.
Thank You,
Kobe
------
Jeanne Love writes on August 21, 2020:
Channeling Kobe today was an interesting experience, easy and very personal. Kobe's height is still with him. As I was hearing his words he was leaning over my right shoulder to see how it was coming out "on paper." Huge hands, gracious spirit. I heard him clearly, easily. I could see him turn his head towards me like we were having this great two-way conversation. What a wonderful trip. When I was proofreading I had to correct a very few things and asked him if it was ok. He was right there with me while I was editing. saying ,"yes, that's cool," or "sure".
He has grown a great deal in the few short months he has been over. I was very aware of his passing when the accident happened and can remember checking on him and the others to make sure they all got "over." Just was called to it. I'm not called to every celebrity, just a few -- and he is one of them.
Just felt I needed to say a bit more about my experience with him because it was so vivid and real. He still very much identifies with the human body. And is great at bringing it in.
Once I finished the proofing and sent it off he gave me a very big side hug...as I was seated and he was standing...and gave me a nice kiss on the cheek, thanking me. Thankfully I am used to tall guys being around me. I have two sons-in-law. One is 6'7" and the other is 6'2
Enjoy the rest of the day...