Leland Shoemake’s parents always knew their son was special. By age one, he could recite his ABCs, count, and recognize sight words. By six, he was obsessed with history documentaries, the Titanic, and Steven Spielberg movies. He was a child who radiated joy—until a sudden illness took him far too soon.
In 2015, Leland fell mysteriously ill. Doctors struggled to diagnose him, first suspecting meningitis before discovering the horrifying truth: he had been infected with Balamuthia mandrillaris, a rare brain-eating amoeba. The likely culprit? The dirt he loved playing in.
His decline was swift. Headaches, fever, vomiting, and double vision overtook his little body. On September 25, after a valiant fight, Leland passed away.
Devastated, his parents returned home to prepare for his funeral—only to find a note on their living room table. In Leland’s handwriting, it read:
“Stil with you. Thank you mom / thank you dad. Love.”
A red heart with the words “mom,” “dad,” and “love” was drawn beside it.
Amber, his mother, later wrote on Facebook that Leland was always leaving them little notes. But this one, discovered in their darkest moment, felt like a final gift—a reminder that love outlasts even death.
Though nothing can erase the pain of losing a child, Leland’s legacy continues through the foundation his family founded, ensuring his bright spirit is never forgotten.
