The mother of Melquain Anderson, who was shot and killed in DUMBO four years ago, is using her talents to turn tragedy into helping others.

Michelle Barnes-Anderson created a foundation that works to combat gun violence through education. Barnes-Anderson also decided to take on a new venture, writing a children's book titled "The Sky has Caring Eyes." The story is a tribute to her son through a story aimed at helping young children process and grieve the loss of a parent.

"I wrote the book because I was saying how do I explain to this baby that she has a father who loves her," says Barnes-Anderson. "He loved her before she was here, and she'll never get to see him."

The star of the book is Barnes-Anderson's granddaughter, whose father was Melquain. She was born two months after Melquain was killed. Barnes-Anderson says she will never recover from the loss of her only son but teaching her granddaughter that she can always find her dad's smile in the sky has reminded her to do the same.

"I want them to feel uplifted by it and to remember that they are loved all day long and forever," says Barnes-Anderson. "No matter if the person is visible or not."