Troy Anthony Mitchell was born in the Swan hill district hospital at 12.45 am on Friday the 13th of february 1981. Was I superstitious?
Oh gosh No! How could I be, this was the day my beautiful baby boy was born, the day my whole world changed, the day our family was complete. I fell totally and helplessly in love with him instantly.
Troy had the thickest dark hair I had ever seen quite opposite to his beautiful sister who had fair hair like her daddy. He was a very placid baby and fitted in to the family perfectly.
Troy's sister Katherine was 15 months older how she adored her little brother, she would sit by his crib for hours on end just waiting for his little eyes to open. And when they did he would have the biggest smile ever as soon as he saw her little face looking at him.
The two kids became best friends, they where inseparable and boy did they have there fair share of sibling rivalries over the years, but I tell you if some one ever dared pick on either of them the other was there without even blinking an eye lid to defend the other no matter what, my sister Adonna reminded me of that.
When Troy started preschool at the age of four he was so excited, he had proudly packed his bag all by him self the night before. Finally he was a big boy...or so he thought! Troy was a shy lad at first and found it hard to make friends but once he did allow you in, you had a true friend for life. He was a happy little boy with a very laid back attitude, a trait he would carry through out his life....'Mr Casual', his dad would call him.
When Troy was five years old, we as a family packed up all of our belongings and bid farewell to our family and friends to make the seven hour journey from the country to the city, not knowing what lay ahead or if we had made the right decision.
It did not take to long to realize that Adelaide was our new home, the kids adjusted and made new friends quickly. It was at this time Troy showed us how athletic he was, he joined the local football team and remain throughout his primary school days. Katherine and Troy both joined gymnastics, he was excited when asked to represent the club at a interstate competition, that was until he was paid out on the football oval by his mates, need I say he never did return to gymnastics.
Troy's many trophies proudly displayed in our home validate his love for sport. His sporting achievements also included the school cricket team, Tee-ball, mixed netball, boxing and not many people will know this but at the age of eight for a short period Troy would attend Ball room dancing with his little girlfriend and her mother, I always thought he went along to watch and it was quite some time later I learnt that he actually danced and was quite good, what a shame I never seen it.
Troy was also quite fast on his feet, he could out run any one, he was like a bolt of lighting, just ask his dad about that.
Troy would often sneak down to the river with a bucket, reel of cotton and a piece of meat to catch yabbies and tadpoles. He loved going out fishing with his dad. He was a little nature boy, my little Steve Irwin, always exploring looking under rocks and in the bark for bugs and insects and creepy crawly animals. He had a love of all animals and would often bring home stray or injured animals.
From a young age Troy would often complain of severe back pain, we made countless trips to the doctors over the years. In the end we where told that there was nothing abnormal and perhaps Troy was seeking attention.
In 1993 I decided to change doctors, Troy was Twelve years old when he was finally diagnosed with Scheuermann's disease. Unfortunately by then to late to be immobilized with a plaster cast. The only treatment provided then was a passive exercise programme.
In 1995 Troy was offered a scholarship in weight lifting by the South Australian Sports Institution for possible olympic selection. A condition was that Troy must see their specialist in regards to his back problem. Troys world came crashing in, his back had deteriorated and not only was the scholarship withdrawn but he was also advised to give up all his sporting commitments immediately.
At this time troy became passionate about his art, spending countless hours in his room drawing. His particular talent laid in free hand drawing and sketching. He was a perfectionist when it came to shading, weather it be in grey lead, pencil or ink pen. His drawings where immaculate, I'm not sure where he got his talent from....Certainly not his mum or dad!
Late in his high school years Troy wanted to pursue a career in Art, possibly graphic design. He made inquiries at the Art college and after learning how expensive it was decided to leave school, get a job and save for the degree.
Troy had a few long term positions through out his short life, his constant back pain and now a bulging disk in his lower spine limited his positions. I think his favourite was possibly when he worked in Darwin at the pet cremation. He was very respectful of peoples feelings and aware that they where grieving for there beloved pets. He found this work very rewarding and was passionate about it. Troy became home sick and returned to Adelaide to be with his family.
Family meant the world to Troy he would use any excuse to call past and try his best to attend all family functions. Troy was quite unique he would rather spend time with family than friends. In fact he sat by his sisters side at the hospital for the entire 32 hours she was in labour for her first child and was there again for her second child. He absolutely adored his nephew Jaiden and niece chloe, He would often call around to see them, giving them little gifts for no particular reason. He especially enjoyed the many hours he spent helping his brother-in-law Peter fixing the cars.
From a young age Troy would often present me with a red rose, usually from a neighbours garden. This tradition carried on throughout his life, and in fact the very last time he entered this house, the night he became an angel, he placed an artificial rose on the front security door, that rose is still there in memory of my beautiful son.
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Troy was especially fond of Benjamin and Kimberly his god brother and sister, but to Troy they where family, he regarded them as his little brother and sister and although he did try to see them as often as possible he regretted not spending more time with them in the later years.
Troy was always very protective of me, especially when his dad worked away, he would call past every day and call me on the phone several times a day, just to make sure I was OK and to see if I needed anything done around the house. I once said to him 'You may as well move back home', he just smiled.
Troy had a few long term girlfriends, he fell in love easily and was a real romantic. Troy's down fall was that he wore his heart on his sleeve and it was broken easily. He wanted more than anything to settle down and start a family. He thought he had all the time in the world,
How wrong was he.
Sadly Troy never did get to follow his dream of graphic design. At the start of march he made inquiries at the Art college for a mid year intake and was so excited at the possibility of attending.
Troy had a real sweet tooth and loved chocolate. He was particularly fond of his farmer union iced coffee. Troy loved roast lamb with yorkshire pudding and pumpkin. Golden syrup dumplings with custard and ice cream was his favorite dessert a recipe handed down from his nan.
Troy's favourite colour was green. he was once allowed to paint his room. I was horrified when he proudly showed me the Aqua glass green he had purchased for his walls and the Miami green suede for his roof. All I could do at the time was smile thinking to myself it can be painted over. When I was allowed to view the finished product, I had to admit it looked fantastic, I was pleasantly surprised, it was so calming and relaxing. Sadly and regrettably I painted over it when Troy left home.
Troy was always immaculate in his presentation. He was mostly seen wearing white and amazed everyone at how clean he always stayed no matter what choirs he was attending. his nan longed to see him dirty , she often would joke about throwing dirt on him,
She never got her wish.