Memorials throughout Los Angeles keep Kobe and Gianna Bryant’s memory alive one year after their tragic passing
by Joanna Matos
LW contributor
I cried for two days on the one-year anniversary of the tragic death of Los Angeles Lakers’ shooting guard Kobe Bryant.I admired Kobe’s “Mamba” attitude and way of life. I am a big fan, and I miss him.
When it was announced that the public could have directions to the 50 murals of Kobe and his daughter Gianna by going to kobebryantmurals.com, I knew I had to pay my respects and take a road trip to Los Angeles.
My longtime tour guide and friend, Bobbi Lona, and I began our 130-mile “Kobe” drive at 7 a.m. from Leisure World. Nine hours later we had seen 28 of 50 murals painted on huge and small buildings, from cities of Vernon, Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles and Wilshire to downtown Los Angeles, Studio City, West Hollywood and the Fairfax district. There were five murals alone on Melrose Avenue. We spent 15 minutes at each one, taking in the extraordinary artist’s work.
We talked to fans from Texas, Connecticut and Fountain Valley who were doing the same thing as we were. Bobbi used the GPS on her cell phone to find the mural address locations. During our trip, we made one wrong turn off Ventura Boulevard in Studio City and ended up driving the beautiful scenic Laurel Canyon, which just added to the already special day.
It was a wonderful day of remembering Kobe Bryant. Bobbi and I will plan another road trip to see the other 22 murals from Torrance to Laguna Beach soon.
