Granger Smith's Wife Shares Heartbreaking Photos 3 Weeks After Son's Death: 'I Will Never Be the Same'
Country singer Granger Smith and his wife, Amber, have been grieving their youngest son’s sudden death since June 6, 2019.
“I have to deliver unthinkable news. We’ve lost our youngest son, River Kelly Smith,” Granger posted on June 6. “Following a tragic accident, and despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived.”
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The 3-year-old boy died after drowning in an accident on the family’s Texas property.
“We went from such a happy, fun-loving, exploring, dancing, party of 5, to hitting our knees, praying, asking why God, how God, and to losing our youngest son in a matter of minutes,” Amber wrote on Instagram.
Once they realized that River would not make it, Granger and his wife decided to donate their son’s organs so that he could help other children live.
“Our family is devastated and heartbroken,” the country star wrote. “But we take solace in knowing he is with his Heavenly Father.”
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Almost two weeks later, the couple posted a video on their YouTube channel to update fans on their grief journey so far, but they also delivered an unexpected message: “Don’t feel sorry for us.”
“We are going to search for every bit of good that we can find in this situation. The worst situation we’ve ever been through, hopefully ever,” Smith said. “We’re going to constantly search for ways that good will come out of this.”
They shared that their faith has been a stronghold during such a emotional time.
“God gave us River for three years and that was his mission and I don’t believe that God takes anyone too soon,” Granger said, adding that he wasn’t going to let himself visualize the accomplishments his son would be missing out on like graduating high school or playing football. “I believe that he was put on this earth for that exact amount of time.”
Smith also said that he and Amber are going to keep searching for the meaning, not the reason, for the heartbreaking loss so that they can spread their son’s legacy.
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Now Amber is continuing to be honest with fans as she navigates her grief through a new update posted to Instagram on July 1, 2019.
“I just want to share my journey with all of you because it will be a long road,” she wrote. “And if we can help at least one person going through something like this, then it is worth it to me to be open about my feelings, my faith, my struggles.”
Amber encouraged others going through similar trials to “lean into Him in your weakness” and to give themselves a little grace for having calm moments.
She also shared that people were commending her for being so strong, but her response was, “I am broken.”
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“My heart will never be the same,” she explained further. “I will never be the same. Yes, I have strong moments, but I also (as any grieving mother would do) cry, scream, question, and fall to my knees. Then I get back up and fight.”
It’s been less than a month since sweet, red-headed River tragically passed away, but his legacy is already touching thousands across the country and around the world.
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