My Story

Our son Grayson was our rainbow baby after we lost our first pregnancy at 10 weeks. He was our light after a devastating loss. Just a few days past my due date, on the morning we had planned to begin leave from work, a little voice whispered inside me: “I don’t think Grayson has moved.” Later that day we learned what no parent ever imagines.

We had been waiting for the happiest day of our lives, and instead were faced with the worst. After a long induction, Grayson was born on May 16, 2021, 7 lbs 14 oz. In those first moments when I held him, he was still warm. I remember thinking, just breathe.

That day, Grayson’s close family came to meet him in the hospital. His grandmother held his tiny hand and whispered again and again "Moja malo zlato" an endearing phrase that means my little gold. Those words stayed with me. A reminder of how precious he is and always will be.

Grayson opened our eyes to the little pieces of gold all around us, found in the people we love and care about and supported us through our darkest of days. He showed us how wealthy we are and he taught us to keep our gold, our friends and family, close.

In the weeks after he passed, I began writing letters to him. Each one began the same way, Dear Gray and ended with Love, Mom. The letters stacked up and grew like I had imagined everything else would when Gray was here… his clothes, photographs, toys… memories. Everything I had for him had stopped growing. It brought me a little bit of comfort to know that at least something tangible could.

I also began making things, memorial pieces, jewelry… Over time, the desire grew to create not only for myself but for others, to help honor their loved ones too.

But, grief slowed me down. It broke apart my beliefs and values… the unwavering belief in myself and in the world was gone… But slowly, life brought new light. In March 2022, our daughter was born, Gray’s little sister. With her came a gentle return of hope, and the courage to dream again.

Four years after Grayson’s birth, I finally had the energy, courage, and belief in myself to share my story, and to begin building something in his honor. There is so much more to this story, more life, more loss, and I hope to share more in time.

Little Zlato means little piece of gold. Our designs are reminders of the gold we carry in our hearts—the loved ones gone too soon, forever remembered. Through our pieces, we hope to bring warmth to grieving families, and to nurture a culture of compassion and awareness around baby loss.

Thank you for trusting me to walk beside you in your grief. I am so sorry you are here, but I hope you find in our work a little light—a small piece of gold to hold close.

With love,

Laura
Grayson’s mom + founder of Little Zlato