Emily Landers was 15 weeks pregnant when she suffered a miscarriage. It was devastating.
“It was the lowest moment of my life and a very sad, dark time for me and my family,” she shared. “We had to leave the hospital without our baby and then explain the loss to family and friends.”
Soon after Emily returned home from the hospital, a friend who had also experienced pregnancy loss dropped off a care package filled with comforting items. Another friend made her a scented candle.
“I had an epiphany. I wanted to make care packages for other moms who experience pregnancy loss. It meant so much to me to have people who understood my pain and supported me during that time. I wanted to do the same for other women while also honoring my baby.”
Within a week, Emily was getting started on her new business, A Little Something: A Lot of Love. She designed a logo and began making her own candles and chakra bracelets.
“I’ve always loved crystals and stones, so I found stones that symbolized beauty and healing,” she shared. “I wanted the bracelets to promote positivity, strength and self-care.”
She started a Moms of Angels group for women who had experienced miscarriage or infant loss. They got together and made bracelets while sharing their stories, hopes and dreams.
“It was healing through art. It was amazing how many people wanted to help. People who go through this often want to give back, but they don’t always know how.”
For each bracelet sold, Emily donates a bracelet and a gift bag, which she calls Joy Bombs, to local hospitals. She’s donated several hundred so far – including dozens to Aurora Sinai Medical Center, Aurora Medical Center – Grafton and Aurora West Allis Medical Center.
“The whole purpose is to bring joy to other people and to honor my baby’s legacy,” she explained. “I hope by receiving these gifts, these moms feel a little more supported and less alone. And they get to take something home from the hospital. You don’t get to leave with a baby, but at least they know someone is thinking of them.”
Each gift bag contains a handwritten note of support, chakra bracelet, candle, wish bottle and locally made products.
“I’ve gotten so much support from local businesses that donate gifts for the Joy Bombs. There’s a florist that includes a coupon, a skin care company that contributes lip balms and lotions and another shop that donates coffee mugs. This project has become a kindness train – karma in action.”
Emily believes her baby’s purpose was to bring this project to fruition and help women feel less alone during their lowest times. She also wants to open up the conversation about pregnancy loss.
“It’s a topic that’s often hushed. Through all this, I’ve been very open and vocal about my loss and miscarriage in general. I’ve realized I now have a platform where I can speak up,” she said.
How you can help
Emily has donated more than 200 Joy Bombs to local hospitals so far, and she’s just getting started.
“It’s been truly amazing how it’s all come together. There’s still sadness; it was horrible and traumatic to go through, but I’m also so lucky to have so much positivity and love in my life.”
She also views it as a teaching moment for her sons, who are 5 and 3 years old.
“The boys are helping too. They come with me for the drop offs,” she shared. “They don’t know why we’re doing this yet, but they will someday. And it will be so cool to see what their mom did – turning pain into something good.”
To learn more about Emily’s mission, visit her website. And consider supporting a hospital or program in your community.