Dear Friend,
When I think back to the time I carried my sweet baby boy, Memphis, I remember how overjoyed I was. My whole pregnancy, I felt such gratitude, nourishing a child within me and preparing to become a mother. When labor finally came, 11 days past his due date, I was so ready to hold him in my arms. After 17 hours of labor, everything shifted. My baby was born lifeless and rushed to the NICU.
That week was the hardest of my life. Memphis slept the whole time. I held on to hope, even dreaming one night that he would wake up and survive. But he didn't. At the end of that week, we had to let him go. I have never cried so hard in my life. It was the most painful goodbye.
Even in the heartbreak, one thought stayed with me ever since: my baby boy taught me more about life than I could have ever taught him. Losing him gave me a different perspective, one that helps me cherish the little things in life so much more. When I see purple, I think of him. When I see breathtaking beauty in nature, I feel him. And almost every day, I notice 11:11, the time he was born. I have come to see it as a reminder of his presence and his love.
Leland Eleven Co. was born out of that love. I felt a need to honor Memphis, to let his memory and quiet guidance shape something meaningful. Our 11:11 Blend is for him, purple in color and emotionally grounding, crafted with the hope that it brings peace and comfort to anyone who drinks it, even in life's hardest moments.
If you are reading this with a hurting heart, I want you to know something: no two journeys through grief are the same. There is no "right" way to move forward, and it is okay to give yourself grace when the waves of loss feel overwhelming. Please do not lose hope. Find the small things that bring you peace and moments of solitude. And please remember you are not alone. Talk to someone you trust. And if you ever need a listening ear, my inbox is always open.
Memphis may not be here in my arms, but he continues to guide me. Through Leland Eleven Co., I hope his memory will gently touch others too.
With love,
Kailey