Our Inspiration and Founding

Purple Wishing Gate was created from love, faith, and the memory of Bonnie Rose. Our blessings are made to comfort, inspire, and remind people that their wishes can become prayers held in God’s care.

The Dream
Purple Wishing Gate inspiration image

After my 12 year old daughter, Bonnie Rose, passed away from cancer, "The Purple Wishing Gate" came to me in a dream. I imagined her standing behind a beautiful purple gate in what appeared to be a heavenly garden. It would be just like her to find a purple gate... it was her favorite color!

In the dream, I watched her as she greeted people at the gate, but she wouldn't let them in. Instead, she listened to their "wishes," wrote them on little pieces of paper, then ran off to give them to God. She was very busy, very happy and very important in her new position in Heaven, helping people turn to God for what they need!

Thus, the Purple Wishing Gate was born... "Where wishes made are turned to prayer, so God can keep them in His care!"

In her loving memory, I donate 10% of all proceeds to help children with cancer, so thank you for your order!

About the Founder

Barbara D. MacAdam is the founder, author, and artist behind Purple Wishing Gate. After losing her 12-year-old daughter, Bonnie Rose, to cancer, Barbara began creating inspirational blessings and original artwork as a way to offer comfort, faith, encouragement, and hope to others.

What began in 2004 with “A Baby’s Blessing,” original artwork, and hand-decorated frames has grown into a collection of inspirational gifts created to comfort, celebrate, and uplift others. Barbara puts her heart into every blessing, hoping each piece brings peace, love, and guidance to the person who receives it.

Bonnie’s grace, strength, joy for life, and deep faith continue to inspire the heart of Purple Wishing Gate. Her wish was not to be forgotten, and to help others turn to God for what they need during life’s trials, rather than simply wishing their circumstances would change.

Barbara creates her work from her home studio and has spent much of her life using her creative gifts to inspire others. Along with her writing and artwork, she enjoyed a 25-year professional singing career, directed a 50-member church choir, and now directs and sings with “The Rock & Rollers,” a vocal group that brings joy to assisted living, nursing home, and retirement communities throughout Delaware.

Purple Wishing Gate is also a family effort. Barbara works with her son, Bill, who manages the website and helps share her blessings online. She lives in Delaware with her husband, Scott, of 43 years.

Meet the Team
Barbara D. MacAdam

Barbara D. MacAdam

Founder, Author & Artist

Barbara writes the blessings, creates the original artwork, and brings the heart of Purple Wishing Gate to life. Her work is inspired by faith, love, and the memory of her daughter, Bonnie Rose.

Bill MacAdam

Bill MacAdam

Co-Founder & Web Management

Bill manages the Purple Wishing Gate website, product presentation, and online customer experience. He works with Barbara to help share her blessings with more people in a clear, beautiful, and meaningful way.

Giving Back

While Purple Wishing Gate is not a non-profit organization, we donate 10% of sales to cancer charities. Our current recipient is Camp Can Do for Kids with Cancer.

This cause is deeply personal to our family. Bonnie attended Camp Can Do after learning about it during her treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering. She wanted to feel like a normal child again, and the camp gave her that gift.