Losing a child is one of the most heart-wrenching experiences a parent can go through. The pain and grief of such a loss is unimaginable, yet it is something that some parents unfortunately have to face. This was the case for the parents of 6-year-old Leland Shoemake from Wilmington, Georgia. Despite their ongoing grief, they have found a way to honor their son’s memory while helping others who may be going through a similar situation.
Leland was a happy and intelligent child who was loved by everyone around him. His parents, Amber and her husband, remember him as their little nerd who loved learning. Amber shared on Facebook how Leland knew his abc’s, numbers, colors, shapes, and even 20 sight words by the time he was a year old. He had a curious mind and enjoyed watching educational shows like the history channel, weather channel, and documentaries.
The Shoemake family’s story gained attention when tragedy struck in 2015. Leland suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the hospital. It was discovered that he had a brain infection caused by a rare amoeba called Balamuthia mandrillaris. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and it was unclear where he had contracted the infection. Amber mentioned that her son loved playing in the dirt, but she never imagined it would lead to such a devastating outcome.
Medical professionals initially suspected meningitis, but further tests revealed the amoebic infection in Leland’s brain. Despite their best efforts, Leland’s health continued to worsen. He experienced severe headaches, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and his eyes started crossing. Tragically, Leland passed away on September 25, 2015. His parents were by his side, overwhelmed with grief, as they bid their final farewell.
One of the things that made Leland special was his habit of leaving notes and drawings for his parents. After his passing, his parents discovered a note that would touch their hearts forever. The note read: “Stil (sic) with you… Thank you mom and dad… Love.” Alongside the heartfelt words were a red-colored heart, and the names “mom” and “dad”.
Finding a note like this from their son provided a glimmer of hope and a reminder of the immeasurable love Leland had for his parents. While it can never fully ease the pain of their loss, it serves as a precious memento of his presence in their lives.
Losing a child is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts go out to the Shoemake family as they navigate through their journey of grief. May they find solace and peace in the memories they shared with their beloved son.
