After going through an unimaginable tragedy, Granger Smith and his wife Amber are experiencing a miracle… a pregnancy. The couple revealed that they are expecting a baby boy in a video posted to social media on Thursday evening (3/11) nearly two years after the death of their youngest son, River, in a drowning accident.
“Dear River, Because of the life you lived, we’ve known so much joy,” Smith says in a beautiful video. He’s then joined by his son Lincoln who adds, “River, Because of the life you lived, we laughed a whole lot.” The two continue walking and are then accompanied by daughter London, who says, “And because of the life you lived, we’ve cried a bunch too.”
The clip then features Granger’s wife Amber making her way to the family. “Dear River, Because of the life you lived, we’ve grown closer to God,” continues Smith, before Amber adds, “And God gave us a miracle. Sweet Riv, Because of the life you lived, very soon, you’re going to have a baby brother.”
The video showcases the family of four honoring their late member, while also cradling the new life that will soon join them.
“We’re pregnant,” Smith writes in a caption for the announcement. “I don’t have many words for this video. Life isn’t perfect. Sometimes it’s beat up and broken but it’s NEVER hopeless. God promises that. Our story isn’t finished yet, and neither is yours! Through our suffering and joy, God’s glory radiates through it all! A new Smith boy is due in August.”
Amber echoes her husband’s sentiments, writing “God has made a way we never thought possible. If I’ve learned anything over the last 2 years, it’s that I do not have as much control as I think I do.” She continued, “Never did I think at 39 I would be blessed with expecting another baby boy. These past couple of years have been so rough but also so full of so much joy, hope, healing, growing and grace from God.”
The new baby is a precious gift for the family after losing their youngest son River in June of 2019. It was at their family home that River drowned in a pool. Though the tragedy is one that no family should ever have to go through, the Smiths continue to share River’s short, but impactful, legacy. In a post shortly after his passing, they revealed that they’d donated his organs to other children in need. They also raised more than $200,000 for the Dell Children’s Medical Center in Austin, Texas, the hospital that fought to save River’s life. They also began The River Kelly Fund, which, according to the website was founded to “shine our light on those that provide support and bring awareness to causes including children in need, arts and education, wildlife preservation, military, veteran and first responder assistance, donor affiliations and many more organizations close to our hearts.”