What's This Old Sport? An Afterlife Story in the Sport Section? What's the World Coming To?

Gold Coast jockey Scott Galloway with his family, 
Lisa, William, 5, Jarred Cowie, 13, and a picture 

and ashes of his late son Charlie, 
who was killed in a car accident in 2012. 
Picture: Jerad Williams Source: News Limited

My English friend Mike Perry often blogs about these kinds of stories at his 67 Not Out blogsite, so I was stunned to pick up the paper and turn to the sport section and find a story that wasn't about smashing the English at cricket again, but a story of a

Gold Coast jockey who believes a dove is a sign from his son who was tragically killed when a car struck him down.

Sign from heaven gives Scott Galloway and family peace

"IT was two days after his young son Charlie's tragic death when Scott Galloway first noticed it. Hearing cries to come quickly to the other side of the house, Galloway feared the worst.
"I thought (my partner) Lisa was having another breakdown," he recalls.
"I ran up the side of the house on the stones and it would have scared any bird away.
"But there he was with Lisa.
"She was sitting out the back and a white dove flew in and landed right on the chair right next to her shoulder and she fed him and caressed him like only a mother could.
"It was just before (Charlie's) funeral and it was a priceless and a truly symbolic moment we never forget as he came to say he is OK and in God's care and not to worry."
Before this point jockey Galloway had never seen a white dove on the Gold Coast.
But this white dove, named Charlie, has been a regular at the Galloways' Benowa property since 20-month-old Charlie was tragically killed when hit by a car outside a house at Hope Island in late November 2012.
"The first day I rode since Charlie's death I won on a horse called Betican with my first ride back (in February)," Galloway said.
"We did some photos in the park a couple days later for a story in the newspaper and as we came back from the park he flew in just to say hi.
"He has only been here about four or five times but he just turns up here as a signal to say he is around.
"The boys have played with him and I've got to pat him as well.
"It's the same bird and he has a little black mark on the back of his neck."
Such moments have helped the Galloway family get through the past 14 months.
Losing a son is never easy but as Galloway put it,

"we are doing the best we can".
"The thing we miss most is our family not being complete and not being able to watch our angel Charlie grow up and become a big boy," he said.
"We miss him every day and love him so much and the pain is indescribable without him here with us."

William Galloway with the dove that has been
with the family since Charlie was killed.

Galloway's partner has been a pillar of strength too, not just for him but also sons William, 5, and Jarred, 13.
But Lisa admits she still struggles with Charlie's death every day.
"There is not a day that goes by when I don't cry and we all continue to seek counselling and we find strength through each other, family and friends," she said.
"Nobody, not even a parent, can imagine the pain and anguish we feel each and every day unless they have suffered the loss of a little one and I wish they never have to.
"We have been working closely with lots of charities to do with children's safety, not only driveway safety.

The white dove, named Charlie,
regularly visits the family.

				"It is heartbreaking to say the least, especially with all the statistics but if we can help another family from not having to feel this hurt then it's all worth it in the end. "Charlie is forever in our hearts and we have been blessed to have had him in our lives. Though short, it was magical and will never be forgotten." Galloway is likely to make his latest return to riding at the Gold Coast on Saturday week. Knee surgery has kept him sidelined since last April and at the age of 44, he could have walked away from the sport. But he knew Charlie would expect more from his dad. "I know it's what Charlie and my other kids want for me, to get back doing what I do best," he said.
				"It's such a physical and mental game being a jockey and for me to get back to where I was before Charlie's accident, it was very hard to get back on the horse. "But once I was able to get back on a horse it is just like getting back on a bike again, and it's good therapy to get back doing what I love." The Group 1-winning jockey, who is looking for a new manager, will not lack any motivation on his return. He openly admits he rides for Charlie these days and always wants to make his son proud. Regardless of the result next weekend, don't be surprised if Charlie, the white dove, flies in for another visit. "