"Each Life That Touches Ours For Good"  / Kelly Taylor (friend)
Each Life That Touches Ours For Good
by Karen Lynn Davidson, b. 1943.

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift does thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise they goodness, Lord, above.
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For His Parents  / Troy Fields (Schoolmate)
I didn't know Giancarlo well, my words are mostly for his parents. I know this is such a loss for you and your family. Like so many others there is the question of why in my mind. I wish I could do something for you. Maybe the only thing I can do is be the best that I can be. Maybe that is the way we can all honor Giancarlo. I just want you to know that you are in the hearts of his schoolmates, his colleagues, and are in the hearts of people who did not know him. I wish you peace as you move beyond this dark moment. Close

GC-A Blessing In His Music  / Sister Antoinette Doyle (Acquaintance)
I had the honor of meeting GC and hearing his music some time ago. I was capitvated by his passion and his love of every note. Our paths only crossed a few times in the Bay area, but I never forgot him. He had the most wonderful face and expressions. He was a kind person, a gentle soul. And he use to tease me about being out of uniform. Not all nuns wear habits anymore, but GC was always able to make me smile. He seemed to know that the world had enough problems that if we could find something to laugh about things would work out. My condolences to his family, this is a very sad loss for both his friends in the Bay Area and at home in Texas. I miss him, I think he touched a lot of people. Close

Sad About This  / Gale Wilhelm (Friend)
GC and I knew each other through his music mostly. I was always in awe of him when he played. He made it look like fun, and he seemed challenged by it all. I just want to say I am really sorry for this loss. I have no answers. I am really surprised by it all and for me it's just starting to sink in. He was a really special person. I will miss watching him play. Close

This Tribute  / Ann Amberton-Sway (Acquaintance)
When I realized that this tribute was put together by someone who did not know GC I questioned their motives. I now feel compelled to apologize to this person because I am now convinced that her intentions were pure of heart. How often do strangers come forward and step up to the plate when no one else does? I now believe in the kindness of strangers. This website would not exist if it wasn't for the selfless gift that is being made to us all. I apologize for doubting your intent and applaud your bringing together two communities. Your gift to us is an opportunity to honor someone we love. Thank you for caring, and for showing us that kindness doesn't just come from the people we know. Close

A Poem For Giancarlo  / Toni Riss
This is one of my favorite poems and it's what I think Giancarlo might be doing every day. An angel dressed in spotless white Knealt down to kiss a sleeping night The night woke to blush, the spirits gone Man saw the blush and called it "Dawn". Close

For Giancarlo's Parents and Family  / Art Collier (A Parent Who Lost Their Child )
Our daughter left this world unexpectedly. We felt an enormous amount of guilt for some time and her messages she left to us made no sense. She left us a poem for services which we would like to share with you. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there, I did not die! Mary Frye (1932) May God Bless and keep you in your time of sorrow. Close

A Question of "Why"?  / J.M. Lindsey
In 2000 my child ended his life. I tried to give him everything. He went to the best schools, excelled academically, had friends, went on to a prestigiuous college and now he is gone.

The question "why" still exists for me and the answer is elusive, but I wanted to share with you what my female intution is telling me.

My son was afraid of failure, he was unsure of what he was doing with his life, he was afraid to tell me because he was afraid of disappointing me. I was able to find out that he was feeling unhappy with what he was doing and he felt trapped. I wish I had known that he was having these doubts. I had them when I was his age and I think every kid in their twenties wonders if they are doing the right thing at some point.

People change throughout their lives, what you are doing in your 20's may not be the path you follow in your 50's. And it's o.k. to fall down, you can't be perfect all the time and no one should expect you to be.

My son never gave me a chance to help him, he simply gave up.

My sincere condolences to Giancarlo's family and friends. I hope you know that you are not alone in your pain and confusion. Reach out and hug one another, be there for each other and keep the lines of communication open. And to Giancarlo's parents, I understand your sorrow, it has hit you like a bolt of lightining or an earthquake. It takes time to get through this, but I promise you there is a light ahead and you will begin to feel better. Close

You Did Not Fail Him  / Jessica Grinte (A Mother Who Lost A Son )
We tend to want to blame ourselves when something like this happens, but how were we responsible?

Having lost my son a few years ago I blamed myself and even others when he died. It was a long, slow process for me to come to realize that I did not fail him.

I would like to encourage folks to be gentle with yourselves and gentle with one another. You are hurt, you are in pain and it's good that you can talk about it.

But you did not fail him.

I hope that each of you finds closure and peace in the next few months as you heal from this tragic loss. Close

The mask  / Giovanni Tripodi (Friend)
Giancarlo was my dearest friend and, considered the age difference, a bit of a son I have never had.

Giancarlo was handsome, intelligent, successful, sensible and elegant. He was "cool", "trendy", wit, resolute, strong and bright.

Yet, we all failed to read behind the mask. We all failed at preventing this loss. We all focused on what Giancarlo achieved and we all downplayed or ignored his troubles.

Giancarlo was troubled like me. I failed to save him from his demons. I failed at helping him to see light at the end of a dark tunnel that was only in his mind.

Today I stumbled into this poem that I dedicate to his memory.

I love you, Giancarlo, and I am so sorry I cannot hug and tease you one more time.

"Richard Cory"
by Edwin Arlington Robinson

Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from head to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.

And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But he still fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.

And he was rich--yes, richer than a king--
and admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.

So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.

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I hope you will enjoy this up there  / Louis Turner (Friend)

Although this was written long before you left, I think of you each time I read this poem.  Your memory and the blessings you left us are the seeds and the fertilizer you left us with.  We all who have known you will have beautiful flowers in our hearts because of your presence.  See you on the flipside one day, Giancarlo.

Fertilizer

 

I do not fear death

Because death is just a door

A new adventure

And a new world

 

When I die, I will be on a cloud

I will open my arms wide

Spread my wings

And as I fall, my wings will shatter

 

The pieces of my porcelain dream shall sparkle

Shall be spread with the wind

Gleaming with the love that inspires them

To touch those I leave behind

 

When I depart ye, those who I have touched

Enemy and friend alike

I will leave you with this sparkling gift

Pieces of my wings

 

As I journey to where you shall come

I hope my gift helps you get here

For what you need I have already planted

And these sparks are to help them grow

 

This is what my purpose is for

This is what all life is for

To leave behind, in this world

More than you have taken

 

My purpose, too, is to leave behind

More than there was before I left

When I depart from this space

You will have more of me than you had before

 

You do not know me, even as you read

And I probably do not know you reader, as well as I might think

But when I am gone, you shall have your memories

Which shall be the truest visages of myself

 

I will touch this world in a way it may never feel

I will leave these gifts you may never see

But as you concern yourselves with your lives

I plant my seeds and watch them grow

 

For when I depart, you will feel the deep roots

You will see the bright flowers

And you will know then what I have done

When you see the work of my labor- then you will truly know me

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He's Now Playing With The Angels  / Albano Montoforo (Met Him Once )
I only met him once, he was playing the piano and there was love in every note. He had a commanding presence and a kind face. He was a bright star who left us much too soon. I wish to convey to family and friends my heartfelt condolences in your loss, he is now the brightest star in heaven. Close

Obituary / Andrea Colella Albino (Uncle)
COLOMBO GIANCARLO, born November 16, 1983 in Dallas, TX died tragically May 30, 2005, in California near Stanford University where he was a student. A lifelong resident of Dallas, Giancarlo accomplished much in his short life, excelling in academics, music, and community outreach to help others realize their potential. Achievements included proficiency in four languages, a perfect 4.0 GPA at Cistercian Preparatory School, along with many prestigious awards for academic excellence such as 1st place in Texas, 4th in US Mandelbrot Mathematics Team Competition and Stanford’s Highest Honors for Academic Excellence (2003/4). He won numerous first-place prizes in both classical and jazz piano competitions. During a recent hiatus from school, Giancarlo attracted a loyal following and earned respect of other professional musicians as he played top Dallas jazz clubs. He had an uncanny knack for connecting with children and bringing out the best in them, as evidenced by outstanding success with numerous students he worked with through the Kumon Math and Reading Center in Dallas. He helped talented low-income high school students prepare for college entrance when serving as Residential Counselor for Quest Scholars Program, a leadership and science education program at Stanford. He was also a member of MobileMedia, a data collection service to identify “invisible” populations, mostly in slums of developing countries, so aid can be dispensed. Much loved by all who knew him, Giancarlo is survived by his parents, Sumico and Luigi Colombo of Dallas; grandmother Carolina, uncle Giuseppe, aunt Angelina, and cousins, all of New York; as well as uncle Augusto Shimizu and cousins in Sao Paulo, Brazil. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2005, 10:00 a.m., at Cistercian Abbey, 1 Cistercian Rd., Irving, TX 75039-4501. For those wishing to pay special tribute to this remarkable young man, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made for Quatro Varas Community Center, an NGO that provides education, counseling, and healthcare for slum kids in Fortaleza, Brazil. Please make checks payable to The Italian Club of Dallas (noting “Quatro Varas” on the check) and mail to PO Box 801202, Dallas, TX 75380. The ICD will consolidate and forward the funds to Brazil. Close

Those You Leave Behind....Lives Touched By Giancarlo  / Toni Riss (I Did Not Know Him )
None of us will probably ever know why Giancarlo Colombo decided to leave us on May 30.

He was a young man, full of promise, a sophomore at Stanford University and a lover of jazz. He was sensitive, caring and had dreams.

I never knew him, he was originally from Dallas, where I now live.

The pain and loss doesn't end when someone is gone, the friends and loved ones you leave behind may be affected by it forever. I can only hope that this tribute will help to ease the pain of his friends and family and that the healing begins now. This is a gift from me to all of you who did know him. I ask for nothing in return except for your memories and to help me make this a tribute his family will treasure. Close