Can you even imagine how difficult it was for him in that moment? The moment he knew that not only his own life was about to end, but that of his daughter . . . a life he helped create.

Can you imagine how he felt as a father knowing he couldn’t protect her?

Can you imagine him holding her, consoling her, telling her he loved her as that helicopter went down?

As a parent, I can tell you Kobe Bryant’s greatest fear was realized today. And it wasn’t the fear for his own life, but for that of his beautiful daughter.

Because as a parent, your life means nothing in comparison to the lives of your children.

We live for our children. We breathe for our children. They are our reason for being.

We would also die for them, without hesitation.

Without question, without a moment’s notice, we would lay down our own lives to ensure theirs.

Just thinking of his internal struggle in those last moments tears my heart into pieces.

He knew his daughter’s young life was ending. He knew he was leaving three other precious children behind. Oh, how his heart must have ached!

Can you even imagine the agony that played out in his mind? Every parent’s worst nightmare happening to him in real-time.

He was there when his sweet girl took her first breath, and he was there with her when she took her last.

And that’s the only solace I can find in this . . . that he was there. In her final moments, her daddy was there to remind her of his undying love.

And with everything in me, I hope that baby felt every ounce of love her daddy had for her.

I hope it overwhelmed her and carried her straight into paradise.

Because I know that’s all her daddy wanted, too.

Rest in peace Kobe and Gigi. Our hearts mourn you and the seven other precious lives lost in this tragedy.

Hug your children extra tight tonight, mamas and daddies. Tomorrow is never promised.

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Originally published on Four Norths in the South