Ryan Dorsey Shares How Son Josey Honored Late Naya Rivera on Mother's Day

Naya Rivera's son dedicated a heartwarming tribute to her on Mother's Day.

On May 14, Josey Dorsey, 7, took a trip to the outdoors to remember the late Glee star, as seen in pictures posted by his father and Naya's ex husband Ryan Dorsey to Instagram. 

"@joseydorsey did a Mother's Day butterfly release for Mama with Grandma and Grammy (&Bess)," Ryan captioned a slideshow showing Josey holding up an Elf on the Shelf toy. "Afterwards he held his little elf to the sky with a smile and said: 'Happy Mother's Day in Heaven, Mommy.'"

The moment came together after Ryan found the red elf toy while recently renovating Josey's room.

"The house is a bit of a mess… Bess somehow showed up a couple days ago because I apparently didn't put it away right," he continued. "It happened to fall out of a a blanket behind a mirror. But for him it was just right… His spirit is incredible…Hug'em if ya got'em."

Ryan shared photos of his son gazing at butterflies, as well as a sweet throwback photo of Josey and Naya cuddling together while she read him Cat in the Hat.

Since Naya died in a drowning accident in July 2020, the 39-year-old actor has made efforts to help Josey understand his mother's absence.

"A lot of the kids find out what his Dad does for work. They'll also find out about his Mom, which is always something that's tough to navigate," Ryan told E! News in March. "It's always a reminder of the obvious. Something that's never going to change is what happened and him having to deal with it daily. As he crosses these milestones as a kid growing up, kids talk about their moms at school and dealing with his situation is very unique."

And without Naya physically present, Josey is looking for ways to connect with his mom.

"He's never going to forget his Mom," the Pitch actor shared. "He's interested in watching things and looking at her work one day. That stuff will speak for itself and he'll really get to appreciate the impact she had on people and how talented she was and who his Mom was on the outside, not just in his home life."

Keep scrolling to see how other stars celebrated Mother's Day 2023.

Nicole Richie celebrated Mother's Day with an adorable picture posted to her Instagram story, featuring her mother, Brenda Harvey Richie, her adoptive sister Sofia Richie, and her 15-year-old daughter, Harlow.

The Flight Attendant actress celebrated her first Mother's Day as a mom, sharing an Instagram Stories video of herself sharing a tender moment with her and partner Tom Pelphrey's newborn daughter. She captioned the clip, "Best first Mother's Day wake up ever!"

Kaley's partner paid tribute to the actress and their moms, sharing pics of them with his and the actress' newborn daughter.

For her first Mother's Day as a mom, the actress' partner, Darius Jackson, shared a slew of throwback photos of the actress when she was pregnant with their first child, son Leodis.

The actress also shared this throwback pic of himself with his mom, writing, "Happy Mother's Day to all the mammas out there and to anyone in your life who has offered you unconditional love."

The actor shared a selfie of himself with his fiancée, mom of their daughter Daisy.

On Mother's Day 2023, the actor paid tribute to his late wife Kelly Preston, who died in 2020 at age 57 after battling breast cancer, sharing a throwback video of the actress opening a Mother's Day present on Instagram.

"Happy Mother's Day Kelly," he wrote. "We miss you and love you! Love, Ben, Ella and John."

The Kylie Cosmetics founder shared several never-before-seen pics of her kids Stormi Webster, 5, and Aire Webster, 15 months, on Mother's Day 2023.

The Pitch Perfect actress shared new pics of her daughter Royce on her first Mother's Day as a mom. (also pictured: Her fiancée Ramona Agruma.)

"Gosh I'm lucky to be their mama," Reese captioned this pic of herself with children Ava Phillippe, Deacon Phillippe and Tennessee Toth.

"Stepping into the world of motherhood has been like entering the most expansive, mythical labyrinth- it's felt simultaneously overwhelming and oddly familiar. It's the job I'm proudest of and the most grateful for. Always," the This Is Us alum, who shares sons August and Oscar with husband Taylor Goldsmith, wrote on Instagram. "Hats off to all those who mother in any and every way and an extra squeeze to those who find this day difficult. #HappyMother'sDay."

The star also honored his own mother with an Instagram post. "Mom… We've had some fun, haven't we?!" he wrote. "I hope you know every day how much you've taught me and how much I love you. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thank you for loving me all along the way."

The star paid tribute to his wife, mother of their sons Silas and Phineas, on Instagram. "This human right here," he wrote. "Mom, partner, brilliant, beautiful, badass… You are always there for me and these boys no matter the time of day or night. I'm in awe of you and beyond grateful that you are ours. We love you, Mommy!"

Justin added, "Love Always, Your baby boys and the big kid you said yes to."

The Jonas Brothers singer shared this pic of his wife with daughter Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, writing, "Happy Mother's Day my love. You are an incredible mother. You light up me and MM's world every day."

Mother's Day 2023 fell on the 19th birthday of Gwyneth and ex Chris Martin's eldest child, daughter Apple Martin. The actress, who also shares son Moses Martin, 17, with the Coldplay frontman, shared pics of herself with both kids and her own mother, actress Blythe Danner, on her Instagram Stories and a special birthday tribute to Apple on her grid.

"Happy Birthday my angel," the Oscar winner wrote. "Thank you for sharing your birthday this year with Mother's Day, a fitting conjugation, a double celebration of you and what you have given to me- the GIFT of being your mom. I love you so deeply and wholly, it defies articulation. To behold you as a 19 year old woman fills my heart with almost unbearable love, pride and meaning! I can't take it! Thank you for making me brunch, I am making you dinner!! I love you so much, forever and ever, mama."

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