Vanessa Bryant Says ‘Heartbreaking Loss’ Of Husband Kobe & Daughter Gianna Has Been A ‘Cluster Of Emotions’

Just ahead of the 1 year anniversary of Kobe and Gianna's tragic deaths, Vanessa Bryant shared an inspirational message about 'finding a reason to live.'

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January 15, 2021 4:21PM EST
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Kobe Bryant, Vanessa Bryant, Gianna Bryant and Natalia Bryant 'A Wrinkle in Time' film premiere, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA - 26 Feb 2018
Gianna Bryant sits on the shoulders of her father, Kobe Bryant, as they attend the women's soccer match between the United States and China, in San DiegoChina USA Women soccer, San Diego, USA
The retirement of the Los Angeles Lakers player, Kobe Bryant's #8 and #24 jerseys was held Monday December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California during half time of the game between with the Golden State Warriors. Kobe Bryant with his family (L-R) Gianna Maria-Onore, wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant holding Bianka Bella and Natalia Diamante. 18 Dec 2017 Pictured: The retirement of the Los Angeles Lakers player, Kobe Bryant's #8 and #24 jerseys was held Monday December 18, 2017 in Los Angeles, California during half time of the game between with the Golden State Warriors. Kobe Bryant with his family (L-R) Gianna Maria-Onore, wife, Vanessa Laine Bryant, Kobe Bryant holding Bianka Bella and Natalia Diamante. Photo credit: ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA TheMegaAgency.com +1 888 505 6342 (Mega Agency TagID: MEGA135063_001.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]
Image Credit: AP

Vanessa Bryant, 38, opened up about the immeasurable loss of her husband Kobe Bryant and their 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. The inspiring Instagram post, made on Jan. 15, comes nearly a year after they were tragically killed in a helicopter crash that also took the lives of seven others. Vanessa’s message was meant for anyone who has experienced grief and loss, as she offered a poignant piece of advice: “Find your reason to live.”

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Vanessa Bryant/Instagram

“Let me be real — grief is a messed up cluster of emotions,” Vanessa posted on January 15. “One day, you’re in the moment laughing and the next day you don’t feel like being alive. I want to say this for people struggling with grief and heartbreaking loss. Find your reason to live. I know it’s hard. I look at my daughters and I try to push through that feeling for them. Death is guaranteed but living the rest of the day isn’t. Find your reason.”

Along with Gianna, Vanessa is the mother of three beautiful daughters: Natalia, 17, Bianka, 4, and Capri, 1. Her life is devoted to making sure her girls are happy and thriving! Recently, Vanessa shared that Natalia is busy deciding which college she’s going to attend in the fall. Natalia’s top choice right now? New York University! Natalia posed in an adorable NYU shirt on her mom’s Instagram with her backpack and binder.

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Kobe, Gianna, and Vanessa Bryant enjoy a game between the Connecticut Huskies and the UCLA Bruins, 11/21/17 (AP)

While she’d obviously be proud if her daughter attended the prestigious university, Vanessa’s hoping she sets her sights on a school that’s a little closer to home. “I will do my best to keep her in Cali just like I kept her daddy here,” Vanessa captioned the photo, referencing her late husband’s time on the Los Angeles Lakers.