Lee County grandfather feels connection with the grandson he lost through painting

BOKEELIA, Fla. —

Out of the dozens of paintings that fill Larry Miller's home, there is one that speaks to him more than the rest.

"He's standing there with a sailboat, and he's pondering the water. He's going to have a great day," said Miller. Not because of its bright blues or calm waters, but because of the life that Miller imagines inside of it.

"I wonder what he would look like at maybe 10 years old," said Miller.

Miller remembers that boy. He did not make it to 10. In fact, he did not make it to 1.

"There's a lot of emotion that comes when you think of losing your first grandson and not knowing how deeply I was grieving," said Miller.

Miller's grandson, Tobias, was born with spinal muscular atrophy. He was 9 months old when he died.

Five years ago, Tobias took his last breath, and that is when Miller picked up a paintbrush.

"He almost was the one who ordered that paint that day to send me in a positive direction rather than a negative one," said Miller.

Miller has painted pieces in the dozens now. A few of his works even hang at The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village, where he works.

"Sometimes beautiful things come out of broken vessels," said Miller.

Miller proves that even in moments of loss, we can make new memories from the pieces that grief left behind.

"Tomorrow morning, I look forward to hanging out with Tobias," said Miller.

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