Help Braiden Heal and Thrive After Loss of his Father

I'm writing this with a heavy heart, as we navigate the unimaginable loss of my grandson’s father. His passing has left a void in our lives that can never be filled. The last few days have been filled with an outpouring of support for Braiden, my daughter, and our family. We are trying to raise resources for Braiden for counseling, support and any unforeseen expenses related to this tragic loss.

My daughter’s tribute to Michael:

“Michael Smith, I never had to question your love for Braiden and I am forever thankful for that. We shared a twisted journey together as parents and I take solace in knowing that we put in the work to get to a place of peace and understanding. I will have questions for the rest of my life but I know you are no longer in pain and that is the only thing giving me any sort of peace right now. We were not perfect, but our strongest bond was, is, and will always be our love for our beautiful boy.

I will carry the torch for both of us and continue to pour into Braiden all the love and devotion he’s always had. I will cheer twice as loud for him at volleyball, I will hug him twice as tight, I will do my best to keep family close, I will push him to be the best he can be, I will be his rock, I’ve got him. I hope you will be able to watch him from above and see how awesome of a man he will become. You gave him the best parts of you and I will always see you in his eyes. OK Batman, I’ll take it from here.

As we struggle to come to terms with this new reality, I'm reminded of the importance of cherishing the memories we shared and the love that will always remain. Braiden will miss him dearly and will never be the same, but we will find a way to heal and move forward together.

If you're struggling with grief or know someone who is, please know that you're not alone. Let's support each other through the darkest times and find strength in our shared experiences.”

If you need immediate support, please reach out to:

- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK (8255))

- Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741)

- Your local emergency number

Additional resources:

- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Helpline (1-800-950-6264)

- The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ crisis support) (1-866-488-7386)

Remember, you're not alone, and there is help available. Take care of yourself and those around you.