Darcy overcame many odds. Many of her Trisomy 18 symptoms, such as brain cysts, stomach hernia, and rocker-bottom feet were healed while in the womb. She made it to term but was not supposed to make it out of the hospital alive. Before she was born, we created a list of things we thought she'd enjoy before she left. Some call it a "bucket list." Others call it "stretch goals." We simply called it "Darcy's List."
We knew we were racing against time but we had no doubt that our little fighter would accomplish every single goal. As you may have already read in the Diary, she almost did not make her last goal. But thank God, she did.
Below are pictures and entries of her adventure.
1. Have her feel the warm Texas sun on her face
You made it, Darcy!!! We absolutely love your doctors, but they were hoping their predictions were wrong. Here you are feeling the sun and the breeze. It was a beautiful day. A perfect day for welcoming our new addition to the family.
2. Have daily birthday parties
Everyday is a gift. We celebrated her birthday at 9:52 pm every day with cake and song. We've gained weight doing this, but it's so well worth it! 13 birthday parties altogether. We had two 13th birthdays. One was celebrated at 8:52 (one hour earlier) because we didn't think she'd make it. But she made it, so we celebrated again.
Darcy passed away about 4 hours after that last birthday party.
3. Go to the park with the family
Ms. Shona took this picture of you and us in our park. I am amazed at how God held up the rain so that you can have this picture. Ms. Shona took the wonderful black and white photos on the pics page.
4. Ride the swing with Mommy
Every child should have a swing ride with his or her mommy.
5. Ride the motorcycle with Daddy
Ok. Look away now if you're squeemish. But if you do decide to look, don't worry. Daddy's got plenty years of expert riding behind him. I'm not sure who's enjoying it more, Daddy or Darcy? Either way, the one enjoying it the most has a name that begins with the letter "D."
6. Paint her fingernails and toenails
Darcy is the perfect manicure customer! See how small her fingers are!
7. Place a sticker tattoo on her arm
Don't worry. It's fake. But how "cutie" is this?
8. Take her to McDonald's
Why is it that having many kids means you're at McDonald's a lot? Here you are with your Lola
9. Take a bubble bath with mommy (rated PG)
Only a mother knows how special this time is.
10. Meet family members
Your Lola, Auntie Joy, and Uncle Jet flew in from Dallas and California to see you. But their stay wasn't all pleasure, they went to work. Lola made and hung curtains, Auntie Joy hung pictures, and Uncle Jet did the lawn and other "manly" duties.
11. Dancing with Mom and Dad
This is a last minute addition. We wanted her to dance with both of us. We danced to Mommy and Daddy's song, which was an 80's "oldie but goody" song "When I'm with You" by Sheriff. It was a sweet moment.
12. Attend the Right-to-Life Celebration of Life Banquet
The Celebration of Life Banquet as on Friday, October 3, 2008. Me, Daddy, and oldest sister, Brittany, went with Darcy to the event so that people can see a symbol of pure life and can become inspired by her journey.
Here she is with Mrs. Mary Jo Graham, the wife of Texas Right to Life founder and president, Dr. Joseph Graham. She asked to see Darcy Anne after the introductory prayer.
Our pastor, Dr. Ted Seago, gave the introductory prayer below. Thanks, Pastor Ted.
"Before I pray I want to recognize one special little girl who is with us tonight, Darcy Anne Ramos, who was born just six days ago. Because of a genetic condition Darcy Anne is not expected to live very long, and could have easily been aborted. But her parents, Jason and Tracy believe that all life is precious, and only God can determine how many days we are to have upon this earth. So, Tracy delivered her 4 lb, 7 oz bundle of joy last Saturday night. They made a list of all the things they wanted to do with her while she graced their life, such as going to a park, painting her toe nails, dancing with her mom and dad ……. But one special prayer was that she would live to attend our Celebration of Life banquet tonight, and she has. Welcome Darcy Anne. Thank you Tracy and Jason for providing us with a living testimony that the abundant life spoken of in John 10:10 is not measured in days but in daily experiences.
Let us pray.
Our gracious heavenly father, creator and sustainer of life, we come together tonight as a community of faith, from all walks of life, but all on the same journey to protect the life of the unborn and the born. We are thankful for the many champions of this great cause that are gathered together in this room, men and women, adults and children who are committed to be your hands and feet here on earth, to be the voice of the womb, the protector of the yet to be born, the pro-life missionaries to our communities.
Father God, we are thankful for the millions of couples like the Ramos who have chosen life over death, regardless of length or quality, but who recognize that ever baby was created by God, for your purpose, and thankfully, for our pleasure. Lord, honestly, we cannot fathom how anyone would refuse to allow a precious child to be born. Give us wisdom and tools to pierce the hard hearts of those who fail to recognize the gift you have placed within their wombs. God, we ask you to go before every counselor and conversation to soften hearts to receive their words of reason.
We pray for the many women across our country and the world who are struggling with a decision of choice tonight. May you use a pregnancy center, a commercial, a billboard, a pro-life missionary, to speak truth into their decision, that each embryo is beautifully and wonderfully made by a sovereign God who has plans for precious life….Plans to prosper
Use this time together tonight to encourage the weary, to refresh the army, to unite our Right to Life Chapters, to reassure our local and state leadership that we live and serve as one voice, for one purpose, to Celebrate Life.
We are thankful for the food and fellowship we will enjoy this evening. Use our time together to prepare us for days ahead as your servants, and earthly defenders of the Darcy Annes of our land.
We pray this is the name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit, Amen."
Pictured with us is Elizabeth Graham, the Director of Texas Right to Life.
We had a good time, but all the commotion was too much for Darcy. She became fussy and occasionally turned blue, so we had to leave as early as possible.
13. Take Darcy to Burger King
Daddy's favorite breakfast is the Burger King sausage croissanwich. Here she is at Burger King at Hwy 242 in The Woodlands, Texas.
14. Take Darcy to church
Oh, Darcy. Your story will be told for a long, long time!
This is the last item on the checklist... to attend Grace Community Church service on October 5. We thought it wouldn't happen. You died three times the night before and convinced us that "church" means THE Church in Heaven. But you lived, my little fighter! In fact, you came back from your first death when Daddy said, "Darcy, you can't go yet. You have to go to church tomorrow!"
We missed the morning service because you looked way too weak to leave the house. But when Pastor Mark (with neck tie) visited that afternoon, he had the brightest idea to bring church to you. Can you believe that? In about an hour after he left, at 5:15 pm (our church's first Sunday evening service) we had about 50 people in our house and had church service, complete with music, several sermons, and communion. It was one of the sweetest times I've even had.
That's it, Darcy. You completed every item on your Darcy List! I really don't think that anyone could have come up with a better script. But God is not just anyone. He holds the cards and shows us grace by surprising us with totally unexpected outcomes.
Thank you, Lord! What else are you going to show us through our little Darcy?