I’m not exactly a big basketball fan. We had season tickets to Seton Hall games growing up and I loved attending, but mostly for the food and camaraderie. I also played point guard in middle school but have literally no idea what the position entails (as my family can attest, I had no clue then either). That being said, just like the rest of the world, I’m sick over the passing of Kobe Bryant. I don’t know if it’s that he was with his daughter, or if it’s the other young passengers onboard, or maybe the way it happened (I’m afraid of flying).. but I’m so, so sad.

Ironically, this past week was spent in Southern California on a work trip. A few of us split an Uber to LA and visited the Staples Center, and I’m so happy we did; the makeshift memorial was simultaneously devastating and peaceful. It was so beautiful, in every sense of the word.

As someone who works with people at end of life, I can attest that even when it’s long, life is short. The years we’re healthy and able-bodied are scarce. We can’t waste them. We can’t wait for devastating reminders of our mortality to start truly living. Everything can change in an instant; death is not the only precursor to finality.