I think we can all remember when we got our driver’s license and the freedom it gave us.  The first night I was allowed to go out driving, my boyfriend and I went over to his cousin’s house.   This is when I was first introduced to Donna.

Meeting the Bethune’s for the first time was very memorable for me.  This was a family that was extremely close in a much different way than mine.  They were close on a daily basis as they worked together at Uncle Alec’s (Donna’s dad) company, Bethune’s Heavy Equipment.  My boyfriend at the time also worked there during school but this is where Donna spent much of her career. 

The Bethune’s also had a way of life that I was not used to.  Growing up in Green Acres in Greely meant that you knew everyone and your backyard was also welcome to the neighbours.  Some that I remember fondly are the Matte’s and the St. Jean’s. Alec and Judy had a pool so this was often the gathering place of the neighbouring kids or cousins that arrived for the day. 

Donna was a staple at Bethune’s Heavy Equipment where she managed her dad’s company.  She was always so calm and friendly on the phone with endless suppliers and sometime tough customers.  There are some very distinct memories of those days.  One clear one was every Friday when Judy, Donna’s mom, would stop by on her way home from work to sign the payroll cheques.  When I think back on their lives and how such a successful entrepreneur and his family fully supported a large company of people.  Alec was always there at the beginning and end of the day and I always wondered what he did all day.  Now I know he was out finding all the work to keep his dream going.  

The other memory was Donna and Judy getting a computer and fax machine for the office.  Donna had sent an invoice by fax to another company and Alec could not believe how that was sent over a phone cord.  He then drove to the company and to his surprise, it had arrived.  I too, can remember the beginning of technology and how it was truly an amazing time to be alive.

Donna eventually became my sister-in-law.  Although my marriage to her brother came to an end, my relationship with the family did not.  Neither Sandy nor I wanted to be without the kids on holidays so we found an easy solution.  We spent all of our holidays together.  I consider this part of our lives such a blessing — to wake up Christmas morning and walk across the street to my in-laws to spend the day together.  There was no animosity towards each other and this allowed my kids to grow up knowing a true family of love.

Donna and her life-long partner, Kelly have been together over 30 years.  They have been blessed with two great kids, Jeremy and Sara.  Blain and Brooke spent their childhood together with their cousins at a daycare run by Kelly’s sister, Ann.  Aunty Ann took great care of our kids and they spent their preschool days on her hobby farm playing in the bushes and exploring.  

Donna and I have both lost our parents.  In true irony, our mothers died within a few weeks of each other so I feel like I missed out in saying goodbye to Judy while observing my own loss.  Losing both Grandmas at once was particularly hard on my kids.

Donna and I recently reminisced about the good old days when we used to have these huge family parties.  Whether it was a wedding, anniversary or milestone birthday, the Bethune’s sure did know how to celebrate.  I remember many times going to a community centre, bringing my share of a potluck dinner and everyone dancing the evening away.

Like many, Donna has had to face some challenges.  Her determination and spirit are truly inspirational and she still holds her place as matriarch of the family.  I am grateful to have her in my life and love that we can still text, pick up the phone or have a coffee together after knowing each other for almost 40 years.