From Karmina (Kad) Datta

D’Arcy Mercer.

Just saying your name out loud is enough to bring on a flood of memories and a smile to my face. We had so much fun together didn’t we? I loved seeing the Miata coming down my driveway - top down, blond curls flowing, a mash of freckles and toothy grins - coming to whisk me (or all of the Datta kids) away for a weekend at the cottage. The drive always included, at least one of us stuffed into the nonexistent second row seating, a stop at the store for a treat (or the side of the road for a quick vomit), and your mom picking up speed on Round Lake Rd so we could feel butterflies on our way down the hills.

Our childhood days were filled with Madonna dance parties, with you making sure we learned all the lyrics and dance moves (It was very serious), wrapping ourselves in old blankets and pretending to beg for money at the end of the driveways, taking turns stuffing ourselves into Alex’s Little Tyke and pushing each other down a hill, blasting R.E.M on the way Toronto to see Les Mis, Sneaking into your neighbours barn to play hide and seek between the hay bales, endless tubing, Mario Kart, breakfast at Morrison’s, Swim meets, pulling the fire alarm at Ecole (your idea), and skipping class to have a smoke (swiped from Sandy) in the A&P parking lot. Never a dull moment with you!

You were more than just my childhood friend D’Arc, you were my brother. My favourite person. You only saw the positive when I dwelled on the negative. You found humour in the most unexpected places and situations. When I clearly became the awkward one amongst our peers, you stuck with me. We quietly had each other’s backs. You taught me not to take myself too seriously - to be unabashedly weird and fabulous and to buck up when things got tough. You taught me what a real friendship was.

I will always be in awe of your grace, your strength, and your humour now and forever. This is not goodbye. Because I know I will see you again, in whatever form that may be. I will remember you and our childhood so fondly D’Arcy.

See you in the stars. I love you,

Kad