Melissa Mitchell, a 22-year-old mother-of-two found out the news that she was carrying her husband’s third child in the week that followed his tragic death.
In May 2016, “hero” Callum Hall’s life was taken too soon when he was struck by a train travelling 65km/h trying desperately tried to save his best friend Jason Kahukiwa, who after a battle with depression, died jumping at a Melbourne station.
“This is the only way he would have wanted to go out, trying to save someone else,” Melissa, who said she wanted her life-partner to be remembered as a “hero” told The Age at the time.
The high school sweethearts were together five years before his tragic death.
On Saturday, seven months on, the widow gave birth to the couple’s third daughter, Elliann James Hall, who now joins siblings Valerie, three, and one-year-old Lilliana.
“Just a week before his funeral, I found out I was having another one on the way. It felt like a miracle,” she told The Daily Mail.
“As horrible as it felt at the time, it was the only good thing that was coming into my life after he died.”
Staring into her new baby’s eyes for the first time, Melissa reveals her joy in giving her late partner what he always wanted – a big family.
“I see her dad when I look at her,” she says. “She has his eyes… his brows. Just a splitting image of her father.”
The new ray of hope was born on February 4th. It’s a day that would have meant a lot to Callum.
“Callum always thought it was amazing that our two older daughters – Valerie, aged four, and Lilliana, two, were born on February 2 and 3. Our miracle baby was born on February 4.”
“I think there could’ve been a different outcome if Jason (far right) sought help earlier. Hopefully by sharing my story, I could help one person stop another family from going through this.”
Looking to the future, Melissa speaks of the stories she’ll tell her three daughters of their brave father.
“I will tell them about the kind of person he was and how much he loved playing with them and taking Valerie to ballet and swimming lessons,” she says.
“The girls are still young but my eldest has been amazing. She always says sweet things like ‘daddy is watching us from heaven’”.
Speaking out can save lives. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with depression, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or get in touch with beyondblue.
