I just had an incredibly moving encounter with another Laker fan picking up some breakfast this morning. I had just ordered some breakfast burritos when this dude comes up and says “Go Lakers,” (I was wearing a Laker cap) and I said something like ‘you know it. Let’s get #18 now’ back to him. More small talk, when he casually says that last year’s Lakers saved his life. Not knowing how literal he was being, and partly wary he was gonna start some Jesus talk with me, I said something like how it saved a lot of our collective sanity, when he said, ‘no, seriously. The Lakers really saved my life.’ That got my attention. He went on to say how he was recently divorced when lost his father late last year, then (ugh) lost his only son to COVID this July. He had no one in his life at that point, nothing that meant anything, and had sunk to the darkest depths of grief that he decided to just end his life. (Here’s where some details are a little foggy for me but) then something reminded him of how well the Lakers were doing, and how they might even win a chip if the season played out. Then he thought of all the good times he had as a kid watching the Lakers with his dad, then later on with his dad and son going to Staples together. Somehow these memories made him realize that if he killed himself, he would also snuff out all those good memories, and also his father and son would never forgive him if he killed himself before the Lakers won the chip. I then said something like ‘wow, I’m real happy for you, buddy, that’s awesome you fought through all that’ something like that. He thanked me then said, ‘yeah, things are good now. And I met a woman too,’ to which I said something like ‘attaboy,’ at which point he sorta winced and added: “Yeah, but she’s a Clippers fan.”
I can relate to this person, I’ve been having a very tough year. I just use it to mark the start of it, not a cause, but it’s felt like nothing has gone right since Kobe died. When the Lakers were in the finals I was at one of the lowest points in my life, them winning was definitely a mental boost, though I haven’t fully gotten out of that still. Little thing do matter though, I’m glad this person found a way out of the path they were on.
@Weezy ..... feel better Man. Hope things brighten up. Never would have guessed reading your frequent posts .... you're one of my faves.
Lakers are definetely one of the very few bright spots in this tough time . At best some of us are bored and/or a little depressed at times , at worst some have lost their job or even worse friends/family members . I'm glad the Lakers have this team , there is at least one thing to look forward to these days
Thanks guys I really appreciate that. Didn’t mean to take focus off the main post/story, but I appreciate the kind words, I think it’s been a tough year for most of us, I’d be surprised if it hadn’t.
Honestly, knowing how tough things have been on a lot of us (me included), I think most regulars here would appreciate knowing about the collective wellbeing of our members.
well I've started reading conspiracy theories and believing them that's a bad sign right? Put on over 20 lbs In terrible shape
I lost 15 lbs through intermittent fasting and 1 hour on the treadmill a day last 2 months, now I gained 5 lbs back because of the Holidays feasting on lechon
I’m on the third floor of my building, and I have no desire to drag a treadmill up to the 3rd floor LOL no gyms are open yet from what I’ve seen. #excuses
lakers winning the title has been one of just a couple bright spots for me in this incredibly sh*tty year
