Granger Smith Reflects on Finding Meaning in Son River’s Death
Granger Smith is once again turning to his family's YouTube channel to speak directly to his fans, opening up about how he's trying to find meaning after the tragic death of his 3-year-old son, River.
Smith's been spending some time in the wild in Montana, Oregon and Idaho in between tour stops recently, and he filmed the new video in the great outdoors. These most recent tour stops mark the first time he's been away from his family in a month, and Smith says that while he and his wife have been each other's strength, the time apart is healthy.
"It's good for us to stand on two feet for a few days," he acknowledges, adding that he'll be bringing Amber and their two kids back out on tour very soon.
Smith says he's hopeful that the couple's choice to be so open about what they're going through will help anyone who is going through a loss or has experienced a deep loss in the past.
"I feel like if they see anything from Amber and I, something to build on, or maybe something not do to, at the same time, that that's meaning for River's legacy," he reflects.
"You're not going to replace the loss, ever," Smith adds. "You're going to find a way where it feels good again to live, and you know you have a purpose in that loss, something that you didn't have before."
Smith posted to social media on June 6 to announce what he termed the "unimaginable news" of his son's death. A representative for the "Damn Strait" singer revealed that River drowned at the family's home in Texas.
Smith resumed his live performance schedule a few weeks ago, and he gave a stunningly emotional tribute to River at the 2019 Country LakeShake Festival in Chicago on June 23 with an powerful performance of "Heaven Bound Balloons." He also debuted a new tattoo bearing River's name during his LakeShake appearance.
Granger Smith Pays Tribute to Late Son River Smith
One way the Smiths have been carrying on River's legacy is by raising money in his name through the sale of a tribute T-shirt. The couple presented a check for $218,791 to Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin on June 25. The staff at the hospital treated River after his accident, and the couple appreciated the care and compassion with which they treated the family.
The tribute T-shirts to River are currently sold out, but the Smiths are planning a new one for fall to raise more money in his memory. Until then, donate directly to Dell Children's here.
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