As I write this on a Sunday evening I am still getting alerts on social media about Kobe Bryant, his daughter and friends dying in a helicopter accident. Other alerts popped up at the same time, some sharing memes with quotes from Kobe and others going to the extreme opposite, criticizing people for reflecting or mourning the loss of a superstar athlete when so many lesser known heros who lost their lives don’t get as much recognition.
I can’t argue with the fact that we are too obsessed with famous people in this country, or globally for that matter; look at the press coverage around the world on Prince Harry wanting to give up his royal duties. But with that said, we forget why we love athletes, actors, musicians and other famous people so much; they are our escape from our daily grind. Including thinking about those who have died in the line of duty in military service, domestically in law enforcement or any other lines of public service that don’t get noticed enough.
No, Kobe Bryant isn’t as much of a fallen hero as a soldier or police officer who lost their life in the line of duty, Bryant would have been the first to tell you that. The truth is that as much as we honor those that have lost in wars on Memorial Day and other ceremonies year-round it will never be enough because nothing can equal that type of sacrifice. Along with that it is unfair to put someone down because they are sad a musician that wrote or played a song that brightened their day is no longer with us, an actor that passed away, of which of whom had a movie that took them away from reality, or an athlete that you enjoyed watching compete who took you away from the stress of work or family demands for a few hours died way too young. To be honest that is just being human. We can mourn and reflect on famous people and the lesser known heroes who have fallen at the same time.
