Vanessa Bryant is showing an incredible amount of strength in the face of an unspeakable tragedy. The 37-year-old widowed mother of four took to Instagram to share her struggles mourning both Kobe and Gigi. The two were among nine killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, on January 26.
“I’ve been reluctant to put my feelings into words. My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone,” she wrote in the caption of a video shared to Instagram. In the video, Kobe can be seen coaching Gigi’s basketball team.
“I can’t process both at the same time. It’s like I’m trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me,” she continued. “It feels wrong. Why should I be able to wake up another day when my baby girl isn’t being able to have that opportunity?! I’m so mad. She had so much life to live.”
While Vanessa is struggling with the reality that her husband and second-born child are no longer with us, she is trying to be the best she can be for her three other daughters. “Then I realize I need to be strong and be here for my 3 daughters,” she wrote. “Mad I’m not with Kobe and Gigi but thankful I’m here with Natalia, Bianka, and Capri. I know what I’m feeling is normal. It’s part of the grieving process.”
She finished off the post by asking for prayers for her family and all the other families struggling with loss in the wake of this tragedy. “I just wanted to share in case there’s anyone out there that’s experienced a loss like this. God, I wish they were here and this nightmare would be over. Praying for all of the victims of this horrible tragedy. Please continue to pray for all.”
A memorial service honoring all those who were lost will be held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center on February 24. It’s unclear if funeral plans will also be made public as millions in LA and beyond look for a way to celebrate the life of Kobe Bryant.