YOU see her smile and it just makes it all the harder to comprehend.
Darcey Freeman, the little girl allegedly thrown to her death from Melbourne's West Gate Bridge last Thursday, is revealed today exactly as you might picture her.
Long blonde hair, a little girl on the edge of life. A little girl for whom we now ache.
She was thrown to her death, allegedly by her father, in a death so shocking it has numbed the nation.
Her family has remained silent since the tragedy but yesterday they opened up to remember a spark of life, a darling little girl named Darcey.
Gallery: The accused and the horror scene
For the first time since her death, her family has spoken about their loss and total sense of incomprehension.
"We all feel an extreme sense of loss and emptiness," her uncle Tim Barnes told The Courier-Mail.
"We are in deep mourning."
On behalf of Darcey's mother Peta and the rest of her family, a written statement was also released to The Courier-Mail.
"We will never understand the reasons why or how," it said. "Sometimes things in life are just not fair."
Her death occurred as she was being driven to her first day at school.
Darcey's father is in custody charged with her murder.
The statement also contains a chilling warning to parents - and a hope that people will take more notice of the plight of children caught in family breakdowns.
"For the past two years the various authorities have been made aware of our fear for the safety of the children and unfortunately no one would listen," the statement said yesterday.
Mostly, though, the family wanted Darcey remembered for what she was - determined and spirited, a little girl quick to dance.
"Whenever particular music came on, she'd be dancing and wouldn't even know it," another uncle, Joe Barnes, said.
"She'd be off in her own little zone."
That was Darcey, dancing with her big brother Ben, her little brother Jack looking on, smiling.
As the family prepares for a private funeral, it is those fond memories of Darcey they will cling to.
"Even though she was only four, she was determined and strong-willed," Tim said.
"She knew her own mind and was prepared to always stand up for what she believed in.
"One memory that stands out in my mind was her choice of clothes.
"She would wear what she wanted to wear, end of story - even if it meant wearing pink wellington boots to tennis."
Joe had similar stories.
"She played Auskick for one season. Tried tennis. She's given us a lot of fun. She was into everything," he said.
"She will never be forgotten. She had an effect on everybody."
The family yesterday described the outpouring of support from around the nation as overwhelming.
They said they hoped the incident would remind all parents that their children are precious and irreplaceable.
"We must now begin to look to the future," Tim said.
"Our family will strive to provide the best possible care for Peta and Ben and Jack."
The family, which has been joined by Darcey's maternal relatives from Western Australia, has also given its support to a call for a Children's Remembrance Day, similar to Mother's Day and Father's Day.
"Our family has discussed some of the issues that have been noted in the media, in particular the reference to the public's desire to hold a memorial service in memory of Darcey," the family statement said.
Joe said: "Our family has been overwhelmed by the public support shown to us from around the world. We wish to thank the public for their heartfelt sympathy and well wishes.
"We would also like to thank the Victoria Police and the staff at the Royal Children's Hospital. Every single person involved has been simply wonderful.
"Words cannot express our appreciation for the wonderful care given to Darcey during her final hours."
Words cannot express a lot of things.
Sometimes, you just have to move on - and remember the smile.
1 comment:
Ever since this happened......I've had a vision of you in my head. It was your first day of school. I can imagine that you were so proud to wear your school uniform for the first time......and I can also imagine the anticipation and excitement you were feeling. Having children of my own I know how emotional and important this special occasion is. How could it be taken away from you and your family so horribly? How could your life be taken so horribly? How could the person who was supposed to love, nurture, and protect you do this to you? Right now my heart is aching as it has been since I heard the terrible news.........and I am numb with disbelief....
Such an innocent, sweet, and helpless little child......
You've had an extremely profound effect on me.......as all innocent children who have suffered and died at the hands of the people who are there to supposedly protect them have........And I know that your passing has had an equally profound effect on everyone who has heard about this tragedy.......
Hopefully this sad event will be the one that finally changes the laws on the so called "Shared Care" arrangement...I know that for some families this may work but for alot of others, and especially the children, it is so unfair and potentially dangerous....and even life threatening.........
Also I hope that alot more will be done by the Government to protect all innocent children from neglect, emotional and physical abuse, and murder at the hands of the people that they love....The Dept of Family Services, Community Services, whatever they like to call themselves, need to be shaken up and rearranged..There needs to be more community support and there should be more help available to the people who cry out for help......and the appropriate actions need to be taken!!! I know this for a fact because I am someone who cried out for help......and I was turned away and told that nothing could be done.........My fears were later realised as I had predicted and my childrens lives will be changed forever. But this is not about me.......Thankfully my sons are alive but there were many times when they were placed at extreme risk by their father...
Money should not be an object to enable the needed funding and staffing of these departments. Their budgets should be endless!....What is the life of a precious child worth?
Another peice of my heart was torn out the day you died..
Rest In Peace Darcey...
Debra x
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