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.’

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.”

“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.

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.