http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/7614614.html Horry's daughter added perspective String of titles nice, but frailty of life hits home SAN ANTONIO — Robert Horry was lucky. Everyone saw it. He kept moving from Hall of Fame big man to Hall of Fame big man, until he had won more championships than anyone except for the 1960s Boston Celtics. Dirk Nowitzki is six rings behind him. LeBron James is seven. But that's just what everyone saw. In his private life, Horry faced the kind of misfortune that makes people ask, "Why me?" Along the way, he learned about sorrow and about what mattered. No one would call this luck — but maybe this impacted his NBA career more than anything. This week should remind everyone of the frailties of the rich and tall. There's a memorial service this week for another former Spur, Mike Mitchell, who died at 55. And Horry's 17-year-old daughter, Ashlyn, died Tuesday after a lifelong struggle with a rare genetic condition. "People forget this sometimes," Avery Johnson said, "but we aren't exempt. We go to weddings; we go to funerals. Maybe because we play a game, fans don't think our lives are just like theirs." Johnson knew Mitchell, but he was closer to Horry. Their families lived in the same Houston neighborhood, and Johnson had a close-up view of Horry's challenge. "Heartbreaking," is how he termed it. 'My little angel' Ashlyn struggled to talk, eat and breathe. She was in and out of hospitals from birth. Horry missed most of the Spurs' preseason in the fall of 2007, for example, because her condition was life threatening. But the Horrys customized their Houston home for her, and they arranged three-hour daily rehab sessions. Being away bothered Horry so much that he considered opting out of his Lakers contract in 2001 to play for the Rockets. At the time, he was merely winning three consecutive titles with the league's glamour team. From a 2001 Los Angeles Times article: When he talks to Ashlyn on the phone, she holds the receiver to her ear. He tells her about his day, about the Lakers and how he loves her. And then he speaks to his wife Keba, who describes Ashlyn's expressions when he spoke to her. If that sounds sad, it is, Horry said, "some days." "But you get used to it," he said. "Well, you tell yourself that, anyway." Then there's this from Horry in another story: "There are bad days, like on the Fourth of July, when we have my brother's kids and her sister's kids. You can tell she wants to do what they're doing, but can't. Those are the days I feel bad for her." Ashlyn was a reason he signed with the Spurs. He wanted to be nearer to Houston. On rare occasions, his daughter came to a game in San Antonio. On rarer ones, Horry talked about her condition. Even those closest to him on the Spurs' staff don't remember him dwelling on his pain. Through it all, Horry called Ashlyn "my little angel." And maybe she was exactly that for him when he walked on a basketball court. His daughter was born, after all, just months before his first championship with the Rockets. 'It's just a game' But she wasn't a good-luck charm, exactly. She changed the way he mixed anxiety and pressure. "From the moment my daughter almost didn't even make it," Horry told an ESPN reporter in 2002, "I realized you can't control what life hands you. I used to get nervous before that. Excited nervous, like gimmetheball-gimmetheball-gimmetheball. Hey, I love what I do, and it's important in a sense, but not compared to my family. It's just a game." So there he was in Detroit in 2005, with Rasheed Wallace diving at him, calm when most wouldn't have been. Luck? To Horry, it didn't come easy.
Those of us who have healthy children can try to imagine going through this ordeal with your daughter, but the reality must be an on-going nightmare, filled with hopes dashed, sleepless nights, endless hours at the hospital. I went through that with both parents (and had a nightmare week with my son in ICU a few years ago), but this is beyond the pale. At least now she's able to rest in peace. There won't be peace for her parents, however. Not for a very long time.
Prayers go out to Robert and his family. I had the privilege of meeting him a few weeks back when he spoke at Sam Houston State. He couldn't have been nicer.
May she RIP ------ Ashlyn's Smile: Robert Horry's letter to his daughter [rquoter]Dear Ashlyn, Your beautiful smile has always been my inspiration. Although I am the father, you were my teacher, my hope and incentive, and my role model -- to your brother Camron and mother, Keva, as well. Born with courage and determination, you confronted and overcame the challenges of 1p36 deletion syndrome, a rare and disabling genetic disorder. My admiration for you is only outdone by your dazzling smile, immortal in my heart. I know you were constantly in pain, but you always endured with a smile. You were physically challenged, but it never prevented you from spreading warmth and love with pride and confidence. I wanted you to join the play of the other children on holidays, but that was my hardship -- you enjoyed the laughter and seized every moment. The appreciation of life, however brief it may be, was your gift to us, your loving family. And we will always remember that endearing smile, a smile that was contagious and admired by all. Houston was your home, the place where you underwent care and treatment and offered the same with your striking and infectious smile. My NBA career was a challenge because it kept me away from home, but no matter where I played -- Los Angeles or San Antonio -- my heart always remained in Houston. And I couldn't wait to visit so I could hold you. Daddy-daughter time was precious; I treasured our moments together and held onto your irresistible smile, my inspiration. My retirement finally enabled me to join you, and I witnessed the fighter spirit daily. The things we take for granted -- breathing, eating, walking -- were your obstacles. But you faced every challenge with courage and that charming smile that made everything better. You only had seventeen short years, not nearly enough time for me, but when I get angry, I think of your smile and the cheer you shared with everyone around you. On this day, Father's Day, your spirit is watching over me and making sure we are all safe and warm. I know you are smiling on life, love and family, and waiting for us to join you. There will come a time when we will again see that engaging smile that brought us so much joy each day of your life. In your loving memory, we will persistently seek to increase awareness of 1p36 deletion syndrome through your foundation. We will bring hope to others around the world, to the children who suffer from the same genetic disorder, and to those parents and families who share the same desperation. As the clock ticks, we will nudge medical science with your courage and determination and hope and pray that your eternal smile will offer the comfort that inspired me each day of your beautiful life. I will always love you. Love, Dad [/rquoter]
Beautiful, man, thanks. Nothing fills your heart fuller than your own child. I will never take what I have for granted because I'm so lucky to have a child of my own. Great...now I'm getting verklempt...talk amongst yourselves.
