It’s a bittersweet back-to-school season forAmber Smith.
On Thursday, the wife ofGranger Smithexpressed her mixed feelings over sending the couple’s two older children — son Lincoln Monarch, 5, and daughter London, 7 — to kindergarten and second grade, respectively, just over two months after they lost their 3-year-old sonRiver Kellyin atragic drowning accident.
Amber revealed in the caption of a photo set featuring her kids proudly showing off their backpacks that she was feeling “the full gamut of emotions,” from pride over their new grade milestones to sadness because “they won’t have their little brother bouncing and running down the halls, making everyone laugh at drop off.”
“I would normally be going home with just River for another year before he started pre-k. I was so excited to have the one on one time with him while big bro and sis were at school,” she wrote. “He was already belting out his ‘ABCD’s’ and teaching me the difference between an excavator and front loader. But sometimes the plans we make for ourselves don’t come to pass.”
Amber Smith/ Instagram
“Sometimes God has another path foryou, your family, and your heart,” Amber went on. “This sucks and it will suck for the rest of my life, but I’m choosing to make the most out of the hand that we’ve been dealt.”
“I’m choosing to smile, through tears, and get excited for London and Linc because they need and deserve that,” she added. “I’m going to focus on livinga life of meaning for River’s honor, creating the foundation in his name to help others, and getting closer to Jesus and my family & friends than I’ve ever been. Not today Satan.”
London (L) and Lincoln Smith.Amber Smith/Instagram
Lincoln (L) and London Smith.Amber Smith/Instagram
Riverdied in June as a result of a drowning accidentat home. That same day, Smith, 39,shared the “unthinkable” newson Twitter and Instagram, revealing that “despite doctor’s best efforts, he was unable to be revived.” River was laid to rest on June 11.
“When you go through a season like we are, you think you may never laugh again,” she wrote alongside an Aug. 5 photo of the siblingssoaking wet after playing in the rain, while a second showed Amber smiling along with them.
“I thank the good Lord for these 2. Dancing through the storm (literally),” she continued. “Making each other, and their mama, laugh. 🙏🏼✝️🌧 Riv would have been the first one out here jumping in puddles. 🎈”
“The smiles on these faces are some of the brightest lights in the dark. ❤️,” sheraved of her children.
source: people.com
