Op-Ed: I'm British, Now I Know How It Must've Felt When Kobe Died

BLACKSTONE-WILSHIREHAM, UK—I’m in tears as I write this. It came as a great shock to us that a 96-year-old woman would die so suddenly. 

When Kobe died two years a, I didn’t understand all the hysteria from our mates across the pond. You guys are known to be a dramatic bunch, you know what I mean? However, now that our beloved monarch Queen Elizabeth II has died, I can finally empathize. 

Although Kobe wasn’t a leader, his death touched the hearts of every yank and even some brits too who like to watch basket-footie. Similarly, we are mourning the Queen who—through her quest to achieve greatness—has touched many countries and their natural resources. She led a life filled with humanitarian efforts. Although Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t a great ball player like Bryant, I hope the Americans can mourn her just as much as Kobe.

I declare we Brits start the tradition of yelling "Elizabeth!" every time we try to kill Princess Di.

I apologize to the Americans for dismissing your grief as silly. I now know real pain.