Parents occasionally lose their children to tragic accidents, cancer treatments, or other illnesses, which is a painful reality.
Grab some tissues before reading this story about 6-year-old Leland Shoemake because it will take you on an emotional journey.
Leland Shoemake, 6, was a typical Williamson, Georgia boy. His infectious joy, sharp intellect, and creative energy will live on in the memories of those who knew him.
His ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and 20 sight words were all known to him by the time he turned one year old. He was our little nerd, and we loved that. He loved going to school and learning new things. ”.
On social media, his mother, Amber Shoemake, wrote that he preferred documentaries, the history channel, the weather channel, and anything historically significant.
Leland’s fate had other plans, though, and if things had gone differently, we might not have known of him.
In 2015, Leland fell ill out of the blue and was taken to the hospital right away. His condition was rapidly deteriorating, and the doctors soon found that he had a brain infection caused by the amoeba Balamuthia mandrillaris. Leland may have been exposed to the bacteria while playing outside. Nobody knew for certain how he got it, though.
Mr. Dot Shoemake wrote on Facebook that Mr. Shoemake’s favorite activity was digging in the dirt. She continued, “.
“I never thought that would be the factor separating us. ”.
Doctors initially believed meningitis might be to blame for Leland’s illness because they were perplexed by his condition. He had an amebic infection in his brain, according to additional testing.
His mother wrote on the family’s GoFundMe page, “He has had terrible headaches, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. Now his eyes are crossed, and he can’t focus on anything without his eyes moving and seeing double. ”.
On September 25, 2015, despite Leland’s valiant efforts, the battle was lost.
His parents experienced waves of grief as they returned home from the hospital, where they had said their last goodbyes to their sweet child. They were so distraught that they couldn’t help but look at something on the family’s living room table.
Leland had left one final sentimental note for his parents, continuing his beloved tradition of doing so.
Still with you… Thank you, parents, read the message.
Love.
He also added a red heart with the words “mom,” “dad,” and “love” inside.
Nearly inconceivable is the significance and comfort it must have brought the grieving parents during such a terrible time. Leland’s note served as a somber reminder of their mutual love and connection, providing some solace amidst their tragic loss.
“We had no idea when he wrote it, but you can tell he was always a special child,” his mother said. ”.
For your convenience, the entire account from The Leland Shoemake Foundation is provided below:.
“I’m an Amber.
I made a lot of effort to protect Leland and tried to keep him safe. His only favorite pastime was playing in the mud. I never anticipated that would be what set me apart from him. My whole world was him. He created me, and he also made me a mother. We put up such a fierce fight to get him. Despite being born prematurely, he was a healthy baby who screamed. He was smart from the beginning. When he turned a year old, he already knew his ABCs, numbers, colors, shapes, and 20 sight words. He was our little nerd, and we loved that. He loved going to school and learning new things.
He was a huge fan of history, documentaries, the history channel, and the weather channel. He enjoyed studying subjects like World War II and ships like the Titanic. He was faultless. He loved the movie Jaws. He thought Steven Spielberg was the best director. He had a famous actor, Adam Sandler. He had a deep love for his family, especially his brother.
Every gathering he attended was lively.
A city could be lit up by his smile. He was the most knowledgeable, considerate, and compassionate child I’ve ever met. ”.
“He had a chance to make a big difference in this world. We wouldn’t have as many friends in this county without Leland. Never meeting a stranger, he was kind to everyone. My only worry materialized, and it was this. A parent shouldn’t ever be forced to bury their child. I’ve consistently insisted that I want to go first because I don’t believe I am strong enough to handle this. ”.
“I still don’t think it’s true. ”.
I’m sitting here recalling remarks he’d make and movie quotes he’d quote. Unsure and confused, like “check ya later” in the movie. alternatively, the line from Jaws, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat.”. Or any of the numerous passages from Billy Madison that he would quote. ”.
He served as the heart and joy of our family.
I am counting down the minutes until I can see his adorable face and hear his sweet voice once more.
This is the note we found from him on the coffee table in the living room when Tim and I came home for the first time to get his clothes to be buried in. It is clear that he was a remarkable kid from the beginning, even though we don’t know when he wrote it. ”.
Burying your child is the worst experience a parent can go through. Despite the unfathomable suffering, we want to keep telling Leland’s story and make sure he is never forgotten.
Since we can’t predict when things will suddenly change, we should all take pleasure in each day. Let’s keep him in our memories for the wonderful young man he was.
