Amber Smith and her husband, Granger Smith, faced an unimaginable tragedy in 2019 when their three-year-old son, River, drowned in their pool. In the wake of this heartbreak, Amber found herself deeply grieving while trying to care for her other two children, Lincoln and London, amidst harsh criticism online. Granger, a former country singer turned pastor, struggled with suicidal thoughts. Yet, in their darkest moments, the couple leaned on each other and their faith.
Now, Amber has detailed her journey through sorrow and healing in her memoir, “Girl on the Bathroom Floor.” Reflecting on the painful times, she shared that their faith played a crucial role in their marriage’s survival. “Our loss tested us,” she recalled. “We made a pact to not let this tear our family apart.”
Amber described the profound challenges they faced as they grieved differently. She reminisced about coming home without River and the struggles that ensued. “We learned to navigate our grief together, knowing when to step back and when to draw close.” The couple grieved separately, with Granger nearly taking his life due to overwhelming guilt and despair—a time she recalls with deep pain.
Despite the immense difficulty, Amber emphasized that she never blamed God. Instead, she sought solace in her faith, believing that God understood their suffering. “When questions about our heartbreak arise, I point to the cross,” she explained. “God loves us and will never leave us.”
Following the tragedy, the Smiths turned to raising awareness around child water safety, often facing criticism about their parenting choices. Even amid those challenges, the support from their church community proved invaluable, allowing them to unite in prayer and reflect on their experiences with others who faced similar losses.
Two months after River’s passing, Amber found joy for the first time while watching her other children play outside, a bittersweet moment that brought mixed feelings. “We learned that true joy comes from faith, even in the darkest times,” she expressed.
In 2021, they welcomed a son named Maverick. Amber spoke of the importance of ensuring Maverick receives swimming lessons early, noting the difficulties this brought back to her. Still, she finds empowerment in his progress. “It’s wonderful to see him develop skills to keep him safe,” she shared, reflecting on her journey of healing and hope.
Through her memoir, Amber hopes to inspire other grieving parents, reminding them that faith and community are essential in navigating the hardest moments in life. “We can’t do this without the Lord,” she concluded, underscoring the power of faith in overcoming life’s challenges.
