One day, in a sweet suburban neighborhood, tiny Emma, a lively toddler who loves bright outfits and untidy ponytails, solemnly announces that she is cutting off communication with her cherished grandma Mimi. The cause? Mimi inadvertently spilled juice on Mr. Fluffykins, Emma’s cherished teddy animal.
Emma is steadfast in her decision, crossing her arms and pouting whenever Mimi tries to interact with her, even in the face of Mimi’s numerous apologies and attempts to make things right with cookies and goofy games.
As the days go by, the home turns into a battlefield of obstinate wills, with Mimi wanting to regain her granddaughter’s love and Emma adamantly rejecting Mimi’s presence. Trapped in the middle, Emma’s parents do everything from ice cream bribery to mediation sessions, but to no success.
Alex, Emma’s older brother, observes the spectacle with pleasure while imparting his own knowledge, speculating that the stalemate might be resolved by forgiveness.
At last, one night as the family sits down to eat, Emma longingly watches as Mimi dishes up her favorite spaghetti—with extra cheese. Emma’s willpower wanes as she gingerly reaches out for a mouthful, unable to resist the mouthwatering perfume.
Mimi takes advantage of the situation, snatching Emma up in her arms and giving her lots of kisses and hugs. Mimi apologizes again, her eyes welling with tears, and she swears she will be more watchful going forward.
Emma puts her arms around Mimi’s neck and says she forgives her, overcome by her own yearning for their unique link and moved by her grandmother’s genuineness.
The family, recognizing that even the smallest rifts can be healed with love, forgiveness, and a hearty helping of spaghetti, celebrates the end of the quiet standoff with joy and laughter.
Another terrible loss for the Bryant family, sending prayers
Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, the father of the late Basketball Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant, has died at the age of 69, La Salle University’s athletics department reported.
Citing La Salle men’s head basketball coach Fran Dunphy, The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote Joe had recently suffered a stoke. The exact cause of death hasn’t been confirmed yet.
La Salle University, where Joe played and coached, said in a statement that he “was a beloved member of the Explorer family and will be dearly missed.”
Just like his famous son, Joe was a renowned basketball player himself. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors as the 14th overall pick in the 1975 NBA draft, he played for the Philadelphia 76ers for four seasons, the then-San Diego Clippers for three seasons, and the Houston Rockets for one season. He also played in Europe.
The 76ers paid tribute to Joe, calling him “a local basketball icon, whose legacy on the court transcended his journey across Bartram High School, La Salle University, and his first four NBA seasons with the 76ers from 1975-79.”
Joe’s sudden passing comes four years after the tragic death of his son Kobe and his granddaughter Gianna, who were killed in a helicopter crash with seven other people.
Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday, “Sending our condolences upon hearing the news of my father-in-law’s passing.
“We hoped things would’ve been different. Although the times we spent together were few, he was always sweet and nice to be around. Kobe loved him very much.”
Former Kobe teammate Doug Young praised Joe as the ideal “role model.”
“Joe was our JV coach at Lower Merion and I could not have asked for a more positive mentor, teacher, and role model,” Young told ESPN. “It’s difficult to overstate how much he influenced me and my teammates. He made basketball fun and made us all want to be better; he believed in us. I’ll never forget his infectious smile, his bear hugs and the incredible bond he shared with Kobe. Growing up in Lower Merion, there was no family we loved and admired more than the Bryants, and that started with Joe.”
Arn Tellem, the vice chairman of the Pistons and formerly Kobe Bryant’s agent, expressed his sadness over the loss of Joe and joined the basketball community in mourning a true Philly hoops legend. “Our friendship opened the door for me to represent Kobe as he entered the NBA, a memory I’ll always cherish. Joe was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, whose warmth touched everyone he met.”
May he rest in peace.
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