An Extraordinary Book Launch Party!

“Every runner in the 123 year HISTORY of the Boston Marathon RAN past where YOU STAND.”-since 1897 {Sign in Paper Fiesta}

One Boston Day 4/15/15: A day of service and resilience as proclaimed by Mayor Marty Walsh. After a moving interfaith service performed by Boston area clergy, I met Walter Dunbar, Boston EMS and his wife Paula Romero-Dunbar. We became friends on Facebook and in real life finding kindred spirits through the way we live our lives, through running, the Boston Marathon and that fateful day of 4/15/13.

I watched what was percolating in Paula and Walter's Facebook posts. Paula was following her dream to open up her own store after working for 21 years at Party Favors in Brookline. Here's the back story:
Paula's parents moved here from Guatamela 41 years ago. They were incredibly hard working parents. Paula was born here and grew up in Brookline Public Housing. She worked at Party Favors for 21 years. She left 3 times to pursue other interests but always returned to her passion. About 12 years ago she felt she wanted a shop to call her own. 8 years ago she started to pursue her dream and took classes at CWE and SCORE. A little over a year ago she met her mentor at Small Business Development Center and she helped to finalize her business plan. They opened their doors with a Grand Opening Celebration on 11/10. While her journey to becoming a small business owner is a remarkable story, the story doesn't end there. The shop is on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon route. What are the chances right? Part of their shop is dedicated to Boston Marathon books and memorabilia and they support Strength to Strength, a 501c3 non-profit organization established to support victims of terrorism around the world by bringing them together to heal.

From Walter & Paula:
We love putting smiles on people’s faces! Paper Fiesta is Natick’s new family celebration store specializing in party supplies, gifts, cards and balloons. We don’t believe there should be any “ordinary” special occasions, let us help you make all your celebrations extraordinary! Paper Fiesta is located in the corner pocket of historic Clark’s Block along MILE 10 (rt 135/rt 27) of the legendary Boston Marathon route. Our staff and our store are built upon the foundation of what it means to be Boston Strong. Come by and connect with us. We love what we do.

I was in awe when I first walked into Paper Fiesta on November 9th last year and captured my emotions and observations in this blog. During that visit:

Paula commented how much she loved seeing us out running when we were training for Bermuda.

"Do you know you're in my next book?" I asked. "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953." I talk about what a boost you gave us when you honked at us crossing Route 9 and when you went a little way with us the year before when it was freezing out in December."

"When will it be out?" Walter asked.

"As soon as I finish editing it!"

Walter explained how he would like to have events at the store with local artists and authors. I told him I am totally on board and would love to have my book launch at the store!

He went on to share his creation of Mile 10 Connections with the themes of Hope, Spirit, History and Strength.

I feverishly worked to edit my book with the push from that encounter knowing I had a beautiful and sacred space to have my book launch.

Last Saturday the copies of my book arrived:


The date, time and details are set!
April 6 from 3-5 pm

I'll be sharing my journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the Boston Marathon and beyond, and signing copies of "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" and "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life."

“The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” takes you on Mary McManus’ healing odyssey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006, Mary got still and asked for Divine Guidance tapping into the powerful connection she experienced to the Divine from an early age. She harnessed the power of her mind to heal her body, feverishly writing poetry in which she imagined herself healthy, whole and free from the shackles of her youth.

Mary’s quest to heal her life led her to the sport of running. Her story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog, discovering the meaning of different ability and experiencing the stunning view from the back of the pack of a race. You will have the privilege of bearing witness to how Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her. The sport of running provides the backdrop for her journey and shines the spotlight on the very fabric that weaves together the running community. Through the redemptive power of running, Mary transformed from a survivor of childhood paralytic polio and severe trauma at the hands of family members to a woman who embodies faith, grace under fire, courage, determination, endurance and resilience. Running became a way of life for Mary that tested her mettle while forging friendships to last a lifetime. As you’ll discover in “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” nothing, not even a serious knee injury in December of 2014 could stop her on the roads or in her life.

Whenever an author celebrates the launch of their book, it's a very special occasion. But the Book Launch Party for "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" is an extraordinary event. Connecting the dots, I am in awe of how the launch evolved and how the stars aligned to celebrate my healing journey on the tenth year anniversary of my Boston Marathon run on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon route.

I am deeply blessed and grateful to launch my book at Paper Fiesta, (from their website): A celebration boutique specializing in party supplies, gifts, cards, balloons and Boston Marathon items.

See you at Mile 10!



To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

Be sure to visit my website by following this link.

My books are available on Amazon.



“The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” takes you on Mary McManus’ healing odyssey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond. After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006, Mary got still and asked for Divine Guidance tapping into the powerful connection she experienced to the Divine from an early age. She harnessed the power of her mind to heal her body, feverishly writing poetry in which she imagined herself healthy, whole and free from the shackles of her youth. Mary’s quest to heal her life led her to the sport of running. Her story is one that will leave you cheering for the underdog, discovering the meaning of different ability and experiencing the stunning view from the back of the pack of a race. You will have the privilege of bearing witness to how Mary overcame every challenge that life presented to her. The sport of running provides the backdrop for her journey of transformation from a survivor of childhood paralytic polio and severe trauma at the hands of family members to a woman who embodies faith, grace under fire, courage, determination, endurance and resilience. Running became a way of life for Mary that tested her mettle while forging friendships to last a lifetime. As you’ll discover in “The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953” nothing, not even a serious knee injury in December of 2014 could stop her on the roads or in her life.

Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life


Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:


Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):


My healing journey using the power of visualization is featured in David R. Hamilton's book, "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body-Anniversary Edition." It's available on Amazon.












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