For the first time since the tragic death of their three-year-old son, River, on June 6, Granger Smith and wife Amber spoke directly to the public in a new 28-minute video, Finding Light in Our Darkest Time. The new video, which was released via YouTube on June 19, also features clips and photos of River.
During the first 10 minutes of the video, the couple speaks directly to the camera, sharing some of the details surrounding River’s tragic accident, while thanking fans and hospital staff for their care, love and support. Granger and Amber reiterated their commitment to each other and their family—daughter London, 7, and son Lincoln, 5—as well as their faith.
Granger revealed the accident occurred when he was outdoors doing gymnastics with London, while River and Lincoln were playing with water guns.
“Somewhere between 30 seconds and three minutes—we don’t know—Amber and I are inside our pool gate doing CPR on our son,” says Granger.
Granger noted that River lived just over 1,000 days, adding, “If you could live those days barefoot, red hair flying back on your tractor full speed ahead, if you could do that with your family around you, with no real care in the world, that’s a good 1,000 days, that’s a good way to live.”
Granger and Amber asked that donations be made—in lieu of sympathies—to Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Central Texas hospital where River was treated. In addition, Granger and Amber honored River with a T-shirt, which is on sale now for $21.99, that features an excavator adorned with “Riv,” with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting Dell Children’s Medical Center. As it currently stands, donations in River’s memory and T-shirt sales have raised more than $100,000 for Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Granger also released a statement with the video, which you can read below.
“We’ve been on quite the journey these past few weeks. I’ve been dark on social media, but I still have a full understanding of the responsibility placed upon me as a public figure. I can choose to snuff that influence, or instead use my platform (in relevancy big or small) towards what I believe is right. I believe I’m obligated on certain levels to include you guys in my current journey, as I’ve been involved either personally or musically in yours.
The finality and mortality brought on by death makes life feel fragile. It can weaken, terrify and separate those close to it. But it can also awaken us. It can remind us never to take a moment with those we love for granted. In my house, we have united stronger and closer than we’ve ever been. We’ve cried. We’ve smiled. I’ve held my family tight. I’ve found strength from God and used that in the face of adversity so that my wife and children can rely on me. I’ve guarded my heart and my mind during weak moments and graciously accepted all of the encouragement and empathy from so many. I have realized that I will not slave over a search for answers, but instead for meaning. I will focus and then cultivate the light from a dark place, the good from the bad, God’s will from my own plans. I can rest assured knowing that River’s assignment on earth was always intended for 1116 days and not only did he live it to the fullest, but he lived it loved by so many, including a mother, father, sister and brother who held nothing back and have no regrets on how much he felt that love. We should all be so blessed to be able to live like Riv.
-Granger
P.S.-Thank you for all the love, prayers and support. We feel it!
If you’d like to buy a Riv shirt and support Dell Childrens Medical Center: https://yeeyeeapparel.com/products/ri…”
Watch Finding Light in Our Darkest Time below.
