1. In the middle of a praise event, I got a call from a close friend and his question was “Tolani, is it true Kobe is dead?” Immediately I was like, "heck no.. it must be a joke... Kobe ke.. Kobe die? nah never that". Then, I left the event and went straight to twitter 
and there it was.... Kobe, his daughter Gigi and 7 others had died in a helicopter crash.
2. Upon realizing it was true, Tears came down uncontrollably, I was heartbroken, devastated & just confused. He literally had just sent me a message saying he was expecting autographed copy of my books a few days earlier when he saw an image I had posted of the vp in his car.
3. Here I was in a little corner at the event hall crying & sobbing, then I heard @PKAjayiOfficial ‘s sax with the hymn “Great is thy faithfulness”, and from nowhere jumped up from the seat and thought to myself,
"...if Kobe were here right now, he’ll tell me to finish the work excellently well, and cry later".
4. With that mentality in mind, I went from a moment of despair to a state of inexplicable verve to capture this image. Before getting the call, I was somewhat scared to go up front and close.. something didn’t feel right.. I was off.
I really didn’t understand where the fear was coming from on the day. Moments later i knew why.
5. Till date, this image remains and retains so much significance to me, such that whenever I get scared of anything, I think of that moment in that room, and I get recharged.
5. Till date, this image remains and retains so much significance to me, such that whenever I get scared of anything, I think of that moment in that room, and I get recharged.
6. Like, even in death, Kobe still gave me an epiphanic well from where I fetch timely strength.
7. That's the quality of his person and presence, what he meant to me and everyone, and how he lived his life unapologetically and full of impact..
7. That's the quality of his person and presence, what he meant to me and everyone, and how he lived his life unapologetically and full of impact..
8. I can only imagine what @vanessabryant , @nataliabryant , Capri & Bianka are going through today knowing they were his rock and backbone. My heart and prayers are with them for strength from God. Kobe and Gigi not a day goes by we don’t think about you and pray for you.
You live on in our hearts forever. #MambaMentality
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