Thanks to Family and Friends...

To Our Family and Friends,

Jenna, RJ and I want to thank everyone for attending last Saturday's celebration for Darcy. We were overwhelmed with by the turnout, the expressions of support, and the wonderful stories and reflections that were shared. Despite the circumstances, it was great to be with friends and family. We believe it was an event Darcy would have approved of.

We are attaching some of the written statements collected from the speakers for all to enjoy. (Click on the Comments link below to view them.)

Love,
Steve, RJ and Jenna

Celebrating Darcy's Life ~ March 15, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for your patience while we put these plans together.
Here are the details...

Date: March 15, 2008

Time: 3:00 to 6:00 PM

Place: Rancho Bernardo Inn
17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive
San Diego, CA 92128

RSVP: We need to confirm with the Inn by March 11.
Please respond by email at weloveyoudarcy@gmail.com.

Kids are welcome. (This won't be a sad affair, and we think there will be fair number of kids from down here.)

You will not be charged to valet park at the Inn. Dress is casual (wear your favorite Tommy Bahama style shirt, sundress; whatever you are comfortable in). The gathering will be outdoors if weather permits, so bring a wrap.

Donations: Many have expressed an interest to make a donation in Darcy's name. We would like to suggest the following:

Chaparral Education Foundation (CEF) - Art Corps.
Chaparral Elementary School
1720 Tannin Drive
Poway, CA 92064

Please put Darcy Balcomb’s name in the memo line. Also, please make sure to include your name, address and phone number because the Foundation wants to make sure you are thanked properly. If you have any questions in regards to the donations, please feel free to contact Linda VanVark at 858-675-7460, mailto:lindav@vanvark.net OR Melinda Winship at 858-487-3106, mailto:mwinship@san.rr.com

OR

Squamish Royal Canadian Mounted Police Detachment - Victim's Services
1000 Finch Drive
Squamish, B.C. V8B0M5
Canada

Please put In Memory of Darcy Balcomb in the memo line. For those of you who are wondering what this is about, the Victim's Services unit of the RCMP, which is funded by donations, provided an enormous amount of support to me and the kids after the accident.

Love, Steve, RJ and Jenna

Mixed CD for Darcy

We invite friends and family to post lyrics of favorite songs...songs that inspire you, songs you know Darcy would like, songs you'd just like to share. Though this little blog doesn't accommodate music files, we can post links to YouTube videos, for a multi-media tribute...

For the cover of our virtual album, thank you to Uncle Chuck for his classic photo: "Darcy, Halloween 1968."

Darcy's Doll Gallery, Part I

An accomplished artist, Darcy freely shared her creative inspiration with the world. She was happy to offer others the opportunity to explore and bring to life their own creative visions. Thank you for all the gifts you've shared with us, Darcy...

"I think of her as the Goddess of Embellishments. I see her arriving at Ellen’s with the car full of fabrics, fibers and endless art supplies. She would turn the garage or the guest house into a magical place for us all to create. She would be surrounded by her articulated mannequins and would make them come alive right before our eyes. The more stuff the better. Darcy could make an artist out of anyone and art out of anything. I’ll never forget her words about making art, “there are no mistakes, just step away, come back and try something different” and you know she was right. I will always hold her in my heart laughing, creating, loving your family, loving us, teaching us and taking whatever time she could to create, embellish and make something beautiful..." ~ Excerpt from Suzanne's blog post

"I am so amazed at the incredible talent and deep intuition that Darcy displayed in her art...and in her life. She shared her delight in creating beauty with such generosity." ~ Dorothy Anderson

Thank you to Ellen Balcomb and Dorothy Anderson for the photos!

Three Poems by R.J. Balcomb

I Am

I am the vastness of the universe
and yet I am the smallest fly
I am ageless
I never began
and I will never end

My existence is one with the darkness

that holds all the colors of light within

I am the beginning of time
and the end of space
I am just a piece of the existence
that we all share.

A Single Candle

A single candle burns in the dark

The fire spreads

There are now two candles alight

The fire continues to spread

Many candles shine in the abyss

The fire grows

And what was once darkness

Now is blinding light

Started by a single candle

The Raven Flies

The raven flies

Flies through the night

His wings beating

Over the rooftop

Over the ally

The raven flies

Storm after storm appear in his way

Yet he still flies

Owls swoop down in the dead of night on his comrades

Yet the raven flies

~ R.J. Balcomb

Welcome, Family and Friends of Darcy Balcomb

This blog was created to honor the beautiful life of Darcy Balcomb, and to provide a forum for all of us to express our love, thoughts and prayers for her and her family.

We remember Darcy with love and joy, and with gratitude for touching our lives with vibrance, honesty, creative inspiration, and much laughter. Please freely post your memories of her, as well as notes of love and comfort to her family. If you send photos to enlightenedarts@sbcglobal.net, we can update the slideshow.

Love to all,
Friends of Darcy