Granger Smith’s Wife Amber Goes Red(head) to Honor Late Son, River
Since Granger Smith's 3-year-old son River drowned in the family's pool in June, the country singer and his family have been candidly sharing not only what their life has been like as they've mourned his death, but also plenty of happy memories and special things about their little boy. In a recent Instagram post, Smith's wife Amber revealed a unique way she found to honor her late son: hair dye.
"This is such a trivial thing ... but with going through what we’ve been through, I’ve realized how short life is. How unexpected life can be," writes Amber as she shows off her newly red-streaked locks. "I’ve wanted to color my hair red for years and never had the guts to do so. Again, so trivial, but I’m living in the moment, now more than ever, and instead of waiting anymore to do things I’ve wanted to do, I’m doing them."
As fans have learned in the months since River's death, his favorite color was red (the charity T-shirts designed in his memory were bright red for that exact reason), and he also had red hair. Amber's hair is still plenty blond, but the burgundy chunks are noticeable even with a quick glance — a bright yet understated tribute.
"If you want to do something (obviously something good and not harmful to others), do it! We are only promised today," Amber reflects at the end of her Instagram post. "Make the change, call the girl or guy, forgive that person, find the job that makes you happy, go skydiving, travel to an unknown place, talk to a stranger, go back to college, learn a language, or just color your hair."
Amber's hair-focused Instagram post is the latest in a long line of personal public statements she and her family have made since River died. She and Granger, who are also parents to 7-year-old London and 5-year-old Lincoln, have been open about their grief, but also used their position in the spotlight to advocate for water safety, working to prevent what happened to their son from happening to another family.
The Smiths presented a check for $218,791 to Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas — the hospital to which River was admitted following his accident — in June, all money raised in River's honor and through the sales of those aforementioned red T-shirts. The tribute shirts are sold out at the moment, but a new one is in the works for fall to raise more money in his memory.
PICS: Granger Smith, Wife Amber Give Big Check to Dell Children's: