Yahoo Lifestyle Rosie Batty Pens A Heartbreaking Letter To Her Son, One Year After His Death
Rosie Batty at the funeral for her son Luke. Photo: Getty Images
One year to the day after her son Luke was killed by his father, Rosie Batty has written a heartrending tribute to the 11-year-old.
In a letter published on the Luke Batty Foundation Facebook page, Batty – recently named Australian of the Year – recalls her final day spent with Luke.
"You didn't want to go to cricket practice that night…. But I did what a good mum does and made you follow through with your commitment," she wrote.
"You were animated and pleased when you came over and spoke to me for the last time… You knew your cricket was improving and you were proud of how you had begun to play. It had all started to come together for you."
Luke was attacked and killed by his father, Greg Anderson, at a cricket oval in Melbourne on February 12 last year.
In her tribute, Batty remembers hearing the attack and running to her son. "I panicked and ran to get an ambulance – never to see you or speak to you again."
Today, she says she finds it "impossible to comprehend" she will never cuddle her "perfect little man" again.
To read the full text of the tribute, see below.
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"I wake today and know a year has already passed since I saw you last. I think of that day a year ago now when we woke, laughed and joked about your hair and how your body was changing.
It was such a hot day and you headed off to school excited to be in Grade 6 and starting the new school year with your friends.
I surprised you by meeting you outside your classroom and you playfully pretended not to see me - not cool to hold hands with your mum so I grabbed you and gave you a playful hug and we chuckled together.
You didn't want to go to cricket practice that night. You were too busy playing on your PS3 and feeling too lazy. But I did what a good mum does and made you follow through with your commitment to your cricket team as it was the last cricket practice for the season.
You were apprehensive about seeing your dad because you hadn't seen him since returning from our holidays and you weren't sure whether he would be there.
When we arrived we spotted your dad. He stood up with a huge smile and I knew it would be ok - he was in a good mood. You had a great time at practice and really enjoyed your dad being part of it all. Bowling to the other kids just like the other dads. It always made you happy to see your dad happy and to be joining in. He hadn't done that for a while.
You were animated and pleased when you came over and spoke to me for the last time. You asked me if you could spend a few extra minutes with dad practising your cricket. You knew your cricket was improving and you were proud of how you had begun to play. It had all started to come together for you.
Then I heard your father, ran to where you both were, which was only metres away and saw you injured and lying on the ground. I panicked and ran to get an ambulance - never to see you or speak to you again.
And now a year later I think of you from the moment I open my eyes until I lay my head back down on my pillow. I think of you every moment of every day. I dream about you and wake knowing that the dream I had is not as bad as the reality of waking to find that you're still gone and can never return.
I miss you and still find it impossible to comprehend that I can never cuddle you and steal a kiss on your cheek whilst you're asleep.
The house is quiet, something is missing. It's you. I will always miss you my beautiful, handsome, intelligent and perfect little man. You always knew how much I loved you and you know that will never change. I will meet you again one day my little fella and it will be the biggest hug ever!"
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