Granger Smith talks candidly about son’s death, vows to return to the road with his family for “healing”

ABC/Image Group LA Two weeks after his youngest son River died in a drowning accident, Granger Smith is breaking his silence on social media to update fans and friends on how his family is doing after the tragic passing of the three-year-old.

“The finality and mortality brought on by death makes life feel fragile…” Granger’s lengthy post begins. “It can remind us never to take a moment with those we love for granted.”

In the days since River’s death, Granger and his wife Amber have been spending time with their other two children, seven-year-old London and five-year-old Lincoln.

“We have united stronger and closer than we’ve ever been,” Granger explains. “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.”

In an emotional half-hour video that accompanies the post, Granger reveals he was doing gymnastics with London right before the accident, while his sons were having a water gun fight.

Moments later, he and his wife were “inside of our pool gate doing CPR on our son.”

He closes by vowing not to “slave over a search for answers, but instead for meaning.”

“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,” he adds.

In the video, Granger also announces he’ll return to touring — though he won’t do media or meet-and-greets — and will be taking his family on the road with him for healing.

Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.