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One cannot possibly comprehend how Vanessa Bryant is coping with the tragic loss of her husband, Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, and daughter, 13-year-old Gianna Bryant.
The entire NBA community sent their condolences to the Bryant family following the helicopter crash that took the lives of Kobe and Gianna — as well as seven others — on Sunday morning.
As is to be expected, Vanessa has not made a public statement as she and her three other daughters mourn the loss of a husband and a father. However, Vanessa did change her profile picture on Instagram to a heartwarming picture of Kobe and Gianna (via ABC 10 in San Diego):
In the photo, the NBA legend is seen holding his daughter in a loving embrace. The image is reportedly from a 2016 NBA All-Star Game in Toronto, the last of Kobe’s 18 All-Star appearances.
Kobe and Vanessa had been married since 2001. Gianna, the second of four daughters. was making a name for herself as a budding star on the AAU circuit. The pair were reportedly en route to a tournament at the Mamba Academy on Sunday morning when the helicopter crashed near Calabasas, killing everyone on board.
The heartbreak has been tangible. TNT hosted an hour-long special tribute in memory of the Lakers great and the other victims on Tuesday night, which also included more remembrances after the broadcast of the game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat.
Former Lakers center and Kobe Bryant teammate Shaquille O'Neal said on Wednesday morning he would be donating all the proceeds of an upcoming show in Miami to the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Foundation.
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 29, 2020
It will take awhile for the pain to subside, and of course Vanessa and her daughters must be allowed as much time as they need to process their grief.
But that image Vanessa shared of Kobe and Gianna should speak volumes as to how the world will carry on their memories, forever.
