Poppy Monroe DaSilva has arrived. The daughter of Christian DaSilva, the longtime Chain Reaction soundman who tragically died in a motorcycle accident July 16, 2012, was born at home February 7.
Poppy's mother, Emma Goodman-DaSilva, gave birth to the 7-pound, 10-ounce, 19-inch baby girl surrounded by family, friends, midwives and a doula. “It was a bittersweet entrance–grief of her father's loss and a new life beginning,” Emma says. “I was luckily surrounded by so much love and support.”
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Poppy has many people in her corner, including many of the bands who Christian worked with during his 12 years working the sound boards at the all-ages music venue in Anaheim. Last July 23, The Aquabats and Starpool performed a benefit to help cover funeral costs.
On Saturday, Feb. 23, more bands that worked with Christian over the years are joining together with the help of Glass House talent buyer Jon Halperin for a fundraiser to benefit the newbie. The night's acts include Hellogoodbye, Taken, Takota, Limbeck and Roy English.
Halperin met Christian during the 1990s and hired him to do sound at Chain Reaction in 2000. On May 25, after Christian met Emma, he sent his friend a text telling him that he had met the one. “We were each so proud of each other and the way our lives were going,” Halperin says. “He will be sorely missed by so many, for so long.”
Emma appreciates that Poppy has so many people rooting for her. “I am so grateful with this precious gift that he gave me,” Emma says. “His legacy lives on. Through stories shared and many aunts and uncles she has inherited she will know what a special daddy she had.”
Emma appreciates all the caring words, love and support she has received in the last seven months since Christian's passing. “I am honored these great bands have come together to show support for this special little soul,” she says.
Christian was excited at the news of his newest little one to come. Emma was two months pregnant when Christian passed away. Emma and Christian had a whirlwind romance that started less than five months prior. He swept Emma off her feet.
Christian lived life to its fullest, Emma says, and was content with his life. “He left this Earth a happy man,” she says. “We take for granted these moments with our loved ones, and I am so lucky I got to meet my soul mate in this life.”
There is a passage from a John Keats poem that struck Emma's heart and sums up her feelings about her short time with Christian. “I almost wish we were butterflies and lived but three summer days with you. Three such days with you I could fill with more delight than 50 common years could ever contain.”
Welcome, Poppy Monroe.
Hellogoodbye, Taken, Takota, Limbeck and Roy English perform Saturday, February 23, 7 p.m., at the Glass House, 200 W. Second St., Pomona, 909-865-3802; www.theglasshouse.us. $15. All ages.
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