From Anne Hulton
Hello D’Arcy,
We first met in the Winter of 1983, you were a beautiful sleeping toddler and I was the awkward 14 year old babysitting you while Our Parents partied away at the Kenney farmhouse. I was so excited to get away from the Parents, & out of the old farm house and go across the road for the night. The bonus was also I got to watch tv and not use an outhouse with styrofoam on the seat, so gross.
I remember going up the stairs into your bedroom and looking at those little blonde curls and just how cute you were. Of course I was also praying you would not wake up and scream all night because I was a total stranger in your house, and of course you answered those prayers.
Over the years of course we watched you grow up, Become a big Brother to Sonny, Alex and Isaac and excel with school and swimming and into such a handsome young man. You became Nurse which I thought was so impressive, and a short time later off you went to live your best life. Your Parents were so proud and when we talked about D’Arcy and what he was up to they always filled us in and thats how we kept up.
8 years ago you and Carlos opened your home to Jacqueline travelling with Isaac on their trip to NYC and the emails back and fourth with your reassurance and safety plan was honestly, it was when I knew you were my people. You put me at ease as I knew she was going to be fine with you and honestly at one point I thought she would be better off with you then with us, LOL. I remember writing back to you and saying “congratulations you are now the Parents of a 16 yr old Girl” we laughed, but really she was in better hands with you. You were working during their stay yet managed to make it so special for her and email me to fill me in on the goings on. You gave her the most precious gift of your time and she will never forget it and neither will we.
I have been reading back through text messages dating back to 2018 just after your Mom’ s surgery and your care and concern for her was incredible. You joke so many times in our chats and your quick wit and humour is the best. I think that will always bring a smile to my face the quiet little comments we’ve shared and the grin that usually followed.
Do you remember the day we floated on the raft just off the dock with Kristy and Carlos, just the 4 of us and Carlos made us the fabulous Martini’s, I felt like the “cool kid” just to be spending time with you guys. It was a great conversation and I was in the finest of company with you 3.
Then came the big swim across to the Island and I paddled away in my kayak and was so impressed to watch you go. There you were in your element and could have swam so much faster but yet you were worried watching your Mom and everyone cross. Always the protector and concerned for safety, once again showing your kindness towards us. Any time on the lake is a good day but this is a memory that I love as it truly was a good day
We love you and we think of you often and we always will, you are a beautiful human D’Arcy Mercer and we are privileged to have you and Carlos in our lives as Friends aka Familia.
Sending you both so much love, and strength,
Xoxo
Anne and Joe and Jacqueline