Ryan Dorsey shares first photo of son Josey since death of Naya Rivera

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Naya Rivera’s son, Josey, hasn’t lost his smile.

The late Glee’s actress’s ex-husband, Ryan Dorsey, shared a photo of the 5-year-old — the first since Rivera’s death. The little boy, a Carolina Panthers fan, had just gotten a buzzcut and flashed a big smile after taking off his Batman mask and Ocean’s Twelve-inspired shades.

WESTWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 02:  Naya Rivera and Josey Hollis attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures' "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" at Regency Village Theatre on February 2, 2019 in Westwood, California.  (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)
Naya Rivera’s son Josey, with him mom in 2019, smiles in new photo shared by Ryan Dorsey. (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images)

Dorsey’s followers — including many loyal Rivera fans — were thrilled to see a new photo of the smiling boy. One wrote, “Naya’s twin.” Another put, “Awe I know Naya is watching him from heaven. I know she misses her baby boy so much.” Others thanked him “for sharing a pic of your little man” and encouraged Dorsey as he navigates solo parenting (“Stay strong you’re a great father,” someone wrote).

That smile seems miraculous after the harrowing experience he went through on July 8. While on a boat adventure with his mom on Lake Piru, in Ventura County, Calif., she drowned — but only after getting him to safety. Josey was found asleep on the rental boat wearing his life jacket. It took days to find Rivera’s body — but investigators said Josey helped by sharing what he remembered — that his mom ushered him to safety.

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This is so unfair...there's not enough words to express the hole left in everyone's hearts. I can't believe this is life now. I don't know if I'll ever believe it. You were just here... We were just in the back swimming with Josey the day before. Life just isn't fair. I don't know what to say...I'm thankful for our times and our journey that brought us together and gave us the sweetest and kindest smart little boy we could ever hope for. I remember sometimes you used to get annoyed at me: "Ryan can you stop snap chatting!" Haha. I'm glad I didn't listen to you because I have hundreds and probably thousands of snaps and videos that Josey will have forever and know his momma loved him more than life, and how much fun we had together as he was growing up. Life is all about good times and bad times but with Josey it makes the bad a little less so because a part of you will always be with us. He'll never forget where he came from. We miss you. We will always love you. Love you Meep. 🖤💔🖤 ♥️ To everyone that reached out and I haven't had a chance to or just didn't get back to you...thank you all for the overwhelming love and support you've sent our way. I'll just say in closing, be kind to yourself, be kind to others, forgive...forget...don't hold grudges....if you have nothing nice to say maybe try not to say anything. There's peace in silence. Time on Earth is precious and you just never know....you never know what could happen. Hold your loved ones close, and cherish the times you have with those you care about. ♥️

A post shared by dorseyryan (@dorseyryan) on Jul 25, 2020 at 1:31pm PDT

Dorsey has been raising their son with help from Rivera’s sister, Nickayla, who moved in with them to help with child-rearing. The Ray Donovan actor slammed a report that he was romantically involved with his ex’s sister, saying they are just trying to pick up the pieces. He said Josey was the one who asked Nickayla to move in.

Dorsey and Rivera split in 2018, while it was bitter at first, they made amends and would spend time together as a family with Josey prior to her death.

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