Hi Everyone,

The MacDonald's (Brenda, Julia and Cassandra) are raising awareness and funds for the Brain Aneurysm Foundation of Canada, and we have set up a Memorial Page for our loving husband and father, Doug MacDonald. With the 10 year anniversary of Doug's passing, we wanted to do something in rememberance of him as well as bring attention to The Brain Aneurysm Foundation of Canada.

 During breakfast a couple of weeks ago, we spent some time talking about our dear husband and father - who he was, how much he meant to us, memories of family trips and how much we loved his goofy personality. Cassie decided to put our thoughts to paper and write this poem from us all:

Dear Doug

Hello Doug it's Brenda,
what a joy it was to be your wife.
Today I think back and reflect on memories, those of our beautiful life.
Our passion and our friendship,
our patience and our care,
symbols of our love, all could see were there. Together we grew in closeness,
and in our walk with God,
through life's trials and triumphs,
which all strengthened our bond.

Dad it's us your daughter's,
Julia and Cassie wanting to say,
We miss you more than one could fathom, especially on this day.
We look back and are grateful for a father of such design,
giving us hope and lifting our spirits time after time.
You were such a great role model for us to look up to,
a father of wisdom and compassion was none other than you.

How many days are in 10 years?
You would have been quick to tell all your peers.
That's how your mind worked always pondering and thinking,
always calculating, always tinkering.
A man full of knowledge so eager to learn,
to share all your discoveries with those around you in return.

You were patient and kind and truly humble, always willing to help anyone who would stumble.
Your faith made you confident that Christ is the truth, the way, and the life,
your firm rock of salvation was by your side through strife.

You pushed us all to conquer our fears and to live life with intention,
You sincerely wanting the best for us is worth much more than to mention.
Your unconditional love for us all was beyond our comprehension.

Each of us misses your humor and all your silly jokes,
those ones you weren't too shy to share with many different folks.
You were like a child that of which was young at heart,
your laugh would spark reactions and smiles as soon as you would start.

You had a passion for adventure and were sure to bring us all along,
out on the road we went, traveling from dusk till dawn.
We remember the time we went to Disney World, truly a trip so grand,
a trip you planned out to a tee the moment our plane touched land.

You were a husband, a father, a brother and a friend,
your memory will stay with us until the very end.
It's been 10 years now and feels so long since you've gone away,
but in our hearts and heaven forever you will safely stay.

We love and miss you Doug, Rest in Peace.

Love Brenda, Julia and Cassie

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is the world's only nonprofit organization solely dedicated to providing critical awareness, education, support and research funding to reduce the incidence of brain aneurysm ruptures. 

All proceeds go towards:

• Funding and supporting new research.
• Providing support and educational materials to the medical community, the newly diagnosed, survivors, family members, friends and the general public regarding the facts, treatment options, and recovery process for brain aneurysms. 
• Increasing awareness of brain aneurysms by promoting National Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in September and by distributing aneurysm awareness materials to Emergency Departments in every hospital and to the community. 

The loss of a loved one is devastating. Yet, we are always reminded by our hearts – how lucky we have been to know those that we loved even in our loss.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Your generosity and support is greatly appreciated.