Let me make it clear right up front.
I have four spectacular fireworks as siblings:
three sisters and one brother.
Shoot those fireworks into the sky, and the display
would bedazzle with sparkling, brilliant, shooting colors.
Okay, maybe I'm a little biased, but I am so proud of my siblings,
and I couldn't possibly pick a favorite. I love each of them with everything in me.
Most Recent Photo Together
Barb, Bertie, Roy, Me (Louise), and Donnie
Smith's Cove
Nova Scotia, Canada
August 7, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
First Photo Together
Donnie, Barb, Me (Louise) holding Bertie, and Roy with Gretchen
Margaretsville, Nova Scotia, Canada
April, 1959
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
Recently something special happened,
something that would have thrilled my parents,
bringing tears of pride and joy to them.
Their primary goal when we were growing up
was for all five of us to graduate from university.
We all did and went on to earn multiple degrees in multiple universities.
However, this special event has its origins in the beginnings of our family.
My mother was the first person in her family to go to university,
unless you trace a through-marriage branch on the family tree.
She came from a poor family and achieved her dream of going to university
because of serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.
My father followed in his parents' footsteps and went to his mother's alma mater.
My parents met when the music stopped during a Paul Jones dance
at Acadia University, and we five were the result.
Our Parents (Dad in a Bowtie) at a Dance
Acadia University
Smith's Cove
Smith's Cove
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
circa 1948
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
All Rights Reserved
Graduating from university meant one thing in our family:
graduating from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada.
By the time I entered kindergarten I already knew
that after kindergarten came school and after school came Acadia.
A photograph of University Hall at Acadia hung above my father's desk in the den,
and I can't remember a time that I didn't know what and where that photo represented.
University Hall, Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia
My parents' Acadia yearbooks and issues of the Acadia Bulletin
were always stacked on a coffee table shelf or in a bookcase,
and I followed my parents' example of pouring through them avidly.
The Acadia Bulletin is the Acadia Alumni Association's publication,
and my parents would point out news about their university friends and events to me.
From my kindergarten childhood until this day, I've read this magazine from cover to cover.
The latest Acadia Bulletin, the Spring 2020 issue,
landed on our kitchen counter when Terry brought the mail in a few days ago.
I ripped it out of its plastic cover with great anticipation
and immediately turned to the page I was looking for.
There she was, my spectacular firework of a sister,
the new President of the Acadia Alumni Association,
Sara Donalda MacBeath, Class of 1975!
My own were streaming down my face.
Do you see the sparkle in Donnie's eyes and the joy on her face?
She's thrilled!
In this difficult Covid time,
I can't think of a better leader for the Alumni Association
or a more capable person to sit on Acadia's Board of Governors.
Am I a proud sister? You bet!
I could detail Donnie's other notable accomplishments
like paying her way through law school by working three jobs,
passing the bar and articling to practice law,
rising through the ranks of legal, corporate,
and public companies to serve as upper management,
and raising three amazing children,
but I won't.
Donnie with her "Children"
Lisa, Krista, and Gavin
(All of whom graduated from Acadia)
August 2, 2017
Photo by Martin Mundry ~ Husband and Father
© S. Donalda MacBeath
All Rights Reserved
Donnie and Martin
Ad Deir ("The Monastery"), Petra, Jordan
November 28, 2019
© S. Donalda MacBeath
All Rights Reserved
No, I'm going to share some favorite photos of my favorite childhood roommate.
I often laugh when watching HGTV (Home & Garden Television),
because parents are always looking for homes with a bedroom for each child.
I shared a bedroom, and often a bed, with Donnie
from the time she was born until I left for Acadia.
I wouldn't have missed that for the world!
The Earliest Photo I Have of Donnie
Me (Louise), Roy, and Mom (pregnant with Barbie) holding Donnie
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Christmastime 1954
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Enjoying the Snow
Roy, Me (Louise), and Donnie (on the toboggan)
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Winter 1954-55
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Donnie with Her Dolly
Atholville, New Brunswick, Canada
Circa Summer 1955
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
One of My Most Favorite Photos Ever!
Roy and Donnie
Perhaps Atholville, New Brunswick, Canada
Circa Summer 1955
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Donnie, Me, and Roy
Atholville, New Brunswick, Canada
Circa Summer 1956
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Barbie, Roy, Me, and Donnie with Gretchen
Margaretsville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Christmas Eve 1958
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Donnie's Kindergarten Photo
Greenwood, Nova Scotia, Canada
Fall 1959
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Donnie holding Bertie and Barbie
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Summer 1960
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Donnie's Grade One Photo
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
Fall 1960
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Donnie Graduates from Acadia
Me, Barb, Donnie, and Mom
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
Spring 1975
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
I have hundreds of photos of my sister Donnie,
but it's these early ones that melt my heart.
This sweet, shy child grew up to become an amazing adult with a huge heart
and a powerful intellect, someone who continues to accomplish so much.
How I wish my parents had lived to see her become
President of Acadia's Alumni Association and a member of Acadia's Board of Governors!
I am beyond proud of this spectacular firework of a sister whom I love dearly.
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
On Margaret's Justice
Fundy Blue
On Margaret's Justice
between Freeport, Long Island
and Westport, Brier island
Nova Scotia, Canada
July 31, 2019
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Notes:
1. Donnie's First Alumni Bulletin Message
Acadia Alumni Bulletin
Spring 2020
2. Donnie's "Welcome from the Acadia Alumni Association President."
For Map Lovers Like Me:
Location of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia, Canada
Location of Acadia University