Tuesday shall mark one year since the tragic helicopter crash that took the lives of basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant and seven other passengers.
Vanessa requested fans and loved ones to celebrate their lives instead mourn the loss of her family which has been her motto since their passing. She constantly encourages others to remember them as happy individuals who knew and did nothing but spread love and kindness and asks of others to do the same in their name.
Honoring their spirit and legacy, Vanessa announced that they have decided to change the name of their Sports Foundation to Mambacita from Mamba.
She explained the reason that there cannot be a no. 24 without a no. 2, their jersey numbers and remarked that the organization will continue to keep the dream alive by standing true to its mission which is to keep empowering young athletes to excel in whatever they choose to do and support them in all their ventures.
After this irreplaceable loss, she also got herself inked and got tattoos, one on the wrist and the other on her neck, of sweet little notes addressed to her 13-year-old daughter and 41-year-old husband.
She posted a picture of terribly missing Gianna on her 14th birthday and captioned it, “Mommy loves you more than I can ever show you. You are part of MY SOUL forever. Wish I could wake up and have you here with me. I miss your smile, your hugs, and your giggles. I miss EVERYTHING about YOU. I love you so much.”
Reminiscing what a wonderful man her husband was she sent out a message congratulating him on their 19th wedding anniversary and did not miss a single milestone including Valentine’s Day and Father’s Day.
She also made sure that Kobe’s death is symbolized with social justice. On George Floyd’s death, she shared that her husband advocated for the cause #BlackLivesMatter and was united with his community and fellow brothers and sisters in the fight against racial discrimination.
She sent a message of peace saying that life is short and unpredictable. We should be understanding, accepting, and accommodating of our differences and embrace the similarities that shape us.
We should be kind and forgiving towards one another because at the end of the day what matters is that all of us are human and have the same basic desires.