Dear Kobe

Dear Vanessa

1-28-2020

Thank you for lending us Kobe all those years. Thank you for holding down the fort at home so Kobe could become the Mamba. Thank you for being so strong, and for forgiving him for his mistakes and supporting him through all the ups and downs. Please know that you have the love and support of the entire Laker family as well as the millions of fans all around the globe. You can count on our love and support forever. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and please accept our deepest condolences during these dark, god-awful times.

Dear Gigi

Thank you for bringing the Mamba back to the Staples Center after retirement; he came because of you. Thank you for wanting to continue the Mamba mentality and even expanding on it and making your dad and all of us so proud. We were all so looking forward to watching you become Mambacita at UCONN and WNBA; and for your eventual induction into the Hall of Fame. The only solace we have now is that you’re up there in heaven holding your dad’s hands; smiling, watching tape, and planning your next moves together. RIP Mambacita.

Dear Kobe,

Thank you for EVERYTHING you’ve done for us. What a journey we had together. We all remember the air balls in Utah, and how you responded the next time you played the Jazz. We all remember the exact moment we realized who you were after Shaq fouled out in game 4 of the 2000 Finals game against the Pacers and how you took over the game with the composure of a much older veteran. We’ve seen you play with broken fingers, broken hands and countless other injuries and even saw you walk to the free throw line and swish 2 free throws after a torn Achilles injury in 2013. Your journey was never easy, but you always gave it your all. You always gave us your all. Thank you for leading by example and teaching us all the essence and true meaning of Mamba mentality, of hard work and complete dedication. But most of all, thank you for making us want to be better at everything we do. You truly made me want to be a better person. I always looked up to you when you were on earth, and will continue to look up to you up in heaven. Thank you for everything Kobe. RIP Mamba.

May John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah and Payton Chester, Christina Mauser and Ara Zobayan all rest in peace. You will all be missed.