On Saturday's training run, Team McManus prepared for next Saturday's 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K.
while holding angel Joseph Scott Middlemiss and superheroes Kevin and Ali LaCoste close in our hearts. I could easily walk next Saturday's event at an easy pace but as I thought about Joseph and how he greeted life with the tenacity of a superhero whatever the challenge, and Kevin pushing himself to his limits as he recovers from a traumatic spinal cord injury, I knew I couldn't settle.
It was an unseasonably warm September day in Boston. Tom, Ruth Anne and I warmed up together and Tom took off to do his 11 miler getting ready to represent Team Big Heart at the BAA Half Marathon in a few weeks.
Ruth Anne let me set the pace while we were also mindful of hydration and taking a pause to take in the spectacular views and flowers we saw along the way.
Although we never met Joseph during his time in his physical body, his parents, Kate and Scott share stories and created The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation to keep his remarkable legacy alive.
From Scott and Kate's eulogy:
As we put your earthly body to rest, we promise to be ambassadors of your message: To carry on your joyful song and passion for each of life’s precious moments. As you went to bed each night, you smiled and exclaimed, “This was the best day of my life!” We promise to continue your mission, to spread your love, and to help others embrace the simple joys that each day brings. We will strive to make EVERY day the best day of our lives. We love you our beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy. Now and forever.
One of the ways they anticipated today and Joseph's sixth angelversary was to share what people said about him. This is from Wayne Morris, Joe's PT at Tyngsboro Elementary School. from Preschool to Grade 1. Joe loved Wayne. Joe and Wayne had a very special relationship, and will always be remembered as a an amazing and special person in Joseph's life.
Kate, Scott, Jack and Extended Family,
I have been amazed but not at all surprised by the number of messages from people who are touched by Joey’s life, even though they had never met him. Having had the distinct honor of being Joey’s physical therapist since he entered TES, and having two “playdates” a week since that time, I wanted to focus on my memories of this wonderful little person. Initially, as with all new relationships starting in childhood, both of us were a bit apprehensive how things would go. After all I was a much bigger “kid” than Joey and I had some trepidation about playing too rough with him. I was pleasantly surprised by how much spunk this little guy exhibited. At first, he was cautious about attempting challenging games, but I could see he was a determined little bugger. He learned to walk the blue bridge without “falling in the water” and eventually moved on to the narrower orange bridge. Around that same time, he also learned a jumping spin move which he would use to dismount the bridge. He would turn and give a huge smile as if to say, “Yes, I am Spiderman.” And speaking of Spiderman, Joey loved when he came to the room and was greeted with a Spiderman punching bag. Although instructed to only use a left, right arm punching motion (for coordination purposes, of course), Spiderman was quickly being body slammed and kicked in the ankles. I still have the bag sitting in my garage in need of tape and with beans placed in the base to allow it to stand upright again. Joey progressed in his ability to ride a tricycle, initially using footplates to hold his feet on the pedals, to riding a bike with training wheels. There was one constant throughout these cycling sessions: Joey would ask me to take him to visit his daddy’s office to say hi and get a hug. How cool was that! He also became quite a balloon tennis player during this period, naturally with the obligatory spin moves to accentuate the overhand smash.
Another constant during those early years was when we finished our "playdates”, either Mom, Mem or Nana was there to pick up Joey. I saw from the start Joe had the ultimate support of a loving, caring extended family and told of multiple hours spent with his many cousins, aunts and uncles or of weekends at Ogunquit playing in the “pine grove” (which sounded like an interesting spot). It was obvious how cool this dude was when a big party was thrown for him and he came decked out in a Jason Miraz chapeau and belted out one of his tunes in front of a sizable audience. Watching Joey play the ukulele, guitar and drums on the stage built specifically for him by a group of caring volunteers further cemented the fact that this kid was unique and universally loved by an extended fan base of caring people.
As educators, there are certain students who turn the table on you, when you become the student and they the teacher. You know instantly they are really “old souls” with much wisdom and knowledge to dispense. Joey was such a person. He taught all those he touched and definitely earned the accolades and the attributes being written for him. Thanks, Joe, for being a gifted teacher. I have learned your lessons well.
P.S. For those who know me, sitting at the computer and typing has never been my strong suit. These words came easily, however, as they were written with language of the heart."
One of the ways that the Foundation raises money and brings together a community of like-hearted individuals is through the sport of running. Dave McGillivray introduced Scott to the healing power of running when he gave him a bib for the Boston Marathon shortly after Joseph earned his angel wings. Kate, Scott and Andrea Walsh created Team Big Heart.
Our daughter Ruth Anne endured 14 hospitalizations since January of 2018 for a neuropsychiatric condition and chronic infections. She had stopped running because she felt ill and medications wreaked havoc with her entire system.
After doing a lot of research and being a fierce advocate for Ruth Anne, we were able to nail down diagnoses and plot a treatment course to help her maximize her functioning and minimize the distress that the symptoms took on her mind, body and soul. I drew a lot of strength from superhero women Kate and Ali.
Ruth Anne returned to experiencing The Power of Running by training for Saturday's race.
Being a part of Team Big Heart has given her a new lease on life, a sense of purpose and belonging to a community of unconditional love and kindness.
As we poured sweat and ran with our hearts, we talked about the Middlemiss Family, Kevin and Ali and all the people we have met through this circle of love, light, strength, courage and perseverance no matter the odds; superheroes one and all!
From Kate:
From the moment you shared Ruth Anne was joining the race I was as moved. It just really touched me to see the picture of her in the big heart shirt with you and Tom. Means so much. Our foundation is certainly about love and “heart” but a big piece is also about the redemptive power is the human spirit. This race (and so much of what we do) honors the people around us who face huge adversities yet keep getting up and standing tall and fighting. It’s NOT easy. Your story, Ruth Anne’s, and your whole family exemplify this! I feel so blessed to have all of you as friends and teammates. It’s certainly a lot more than running.
We checked our splits and pace and discovered we were doing 16 and 17 minute miles which for most runners may not seem fast but as Tom always says, "For someone who is supposed to be in a wheelchair, you run pretty fast." Ruth Anne is just getting back to running and while she can do a 12 minute mile for a mile or 2, it was impressive that she could stay with me while we challenged ourselves. It's not about the ultimate time but about pushing ourselves and unleashing the superheroes within us.
When Tom wrapped up his 11 miles, we took our selfie:
We are ready to have our best race ever on Saturday.
We are ready to run with heart unleashing the superhero within raising money for race beneficiaries Kevin and Ali and their family as they navigate their way through the journey of healing and recovery after a spinal cord injury.
We come together as a community to celebrate and commemorate Joseph Scott Middlemiss who has blessed this world in life and after his physical life ended on earth.
Please join us in person or by registering for a virtual run by following this link.
In tomorrow's blog, we will continue the countdown to Saturday's race....
Please be sure to practice random acts of kindness and spread love and compassion wherever you go.
There is a How You Can Help section in my blog about #lacostestrong which you can find by following this link.
All you need is love!
From my heart to yours
Mary
Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com
Hear my interview with Kendra Petrone on Magic 106.7's Exceptional Women Show by following this link
My books are available on Amazon and "Feel the Heal" and "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953" are available in Natick Center Cultural District at Paula Romero Dunbar's Celebration Boutique Paper Fiesta coincidentally located on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon Route.
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