Sam's tributes tell of shared longing
It was the heartbreaking conversation Matthew and Lyndal Trott had to have - telling elder son Thomas that his baby brother would not be coming home.
Shadowed by family members, the grief-stricken parents yesterday made the short walk from their Landsdale home to the lake where little Sam lost his life.
As they sat at the water's edge, a curious Thomas fidgeted in his father's lap and doled out a kiss.
They spoke gently to one another, trying to explain to the four-year-old what they could barely understand themselves.
Later, as Thomas picked at the colourful balloons and showed an infatuation with the countless stuffed toys donated by other children, Mr and Mrs Trott knelt by themselves with heads bowed.
Landsdale mother-of-three Christine Newhill and sons Lachlan,6, and Caleb, 4, deliver roses to the memorial for Sam Trott at a Landsdale lake. Picture: Sharon Smith/The West Australian.
Mrs Trott put a reassuring arm around her husband's shoulder before he returned the favour.
Sam's grandfather Geoff Trott, who so bravely faced the cameras in the hours after the 2½-year-old's body was found on Wednesday, broke down as he embraced his own son Matthew.
As they inched along the burgeoning lakeside vigil at Warradale Park, the family stopped to read the messages of condolence from mourners big and small.
A note to Sam in the unmistakable handwriting of a pre-schooler said: "I hope you like heaven."
Another scribbled in red crayon simply wished the toddler a Merry Christmas. Among the rows of toys, which included a Spider-Man figurine and books depicting Sam's favourite song The Wheels on the Bus, was a card with an apology: "I'm sorry we didn't find you in time."
A laminated receipt for a $10 donation to the Autism Association of WA twitched in the breeze next to a poem titled Always in Our Hearts, the last verse telling Sam he would always be at home in Landsdale.
Karen Milos returned to the vigil with daughter Olivia, 3, to see a teddy bear the little girl had left the night before.
Olivia ruffled the caramel teddy's head as Mrs Milos told her daughter to say a final farewell.
"Bye, Sam," came the little voice. "Bye, bye."
The toys were collected late yesterday by the City of Wanneroo at the family's request. It is understood they will be donated to become Christmas gifts.
