A Final Gift: Parents Discover Heartbreaking Note From 6-Year-Old Son After His Tragic Death

Leland Shoemake was like any other bright, curious six-year-old boy—full of energy, laughter, and an insatiable love for learning. From mastering his ABCs before most kids his age to binge-watching history documentaries, he was a little boy with a big mind and an even bigger heart.

But in 2015, everything changed. What started as a simple illness quickly spiraled into something far more terrifying. Leland was rushed to the hospital, his condition deteriorating rapidly. Doctors initially suspected meningitis, but the truth was even more devastating—he had contracted Balamuthia mandrillaris, a rare and deadly brain-eating amoeba, likely from playing in the dirt he loved so much.

Despite the medical team’s best efforts, Leland passed away on September 25, 2015. His parents, Amber and Tim, were shattered. But when they returned home to gather clothes for his burial, they found something that would both break and heal their hearts all over again—a handwritten note from Leland, scribbled in his childlike handwriting:

“Stil with you. Thank you mom / thank you dad. Love.”

Beside it, he had drawn a red heart with the words “mom,” “dad,” and “love.”

Amber later shared on Facebook that Leland often left little notes and drawings for them, but this one—his last—was a bittersweet reminder of the bond they shared. “We don’t know when he wrote it,” she said, “but that was just the kind of sweet, thoughtful boy he was.”

Though the pain of losing him will never fade, Leland’s memory lives on through the foundation his parents created in his name. His story serves as a heartbreaking yet beautiful reminder to cherish every moment—because life can change in an instant.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *