A Very Different April in Boston

During this last weekend before the weekend when the Boston Marathon would have been run, runners would have been out with Boston Strong shirts getting in one last run. The Hills in Newton would be filled with athletes feeling the heightened energy leading up to when Boston runs again. There would be a Facebook frenzy as friends check in with other friends to see when they will be arriving in town, scheduling meet ups, and endless posts about the weather forecast. Friends who would not be running Boston would be supporting those in taper mode and sharing last minute requests for fund raising. Parking in and around the area of the finish line would be blocked off and scaffolding for the finish line viewing area would be going up. Mile markers and start and finish line would be given a fresh coat of paint. The banners would have been unveiled a few weeks ago and would be lining the city's street poles. Boston Strong could be seen and felt all over the City. Preparations would be in place to mark the anniversary of 4/15/13 with a Day of Service that also represents the resilience of the people of Boston and those who were here on 4/15/2013.

But it's a very different April in Boston this year and the first time the Marathon has been rescheduled for September.

Runners' training came to a screeching halt after one of their longest runs in preparation for Marathon Monday.

The anticipation of experiencing Marathon Weekend with the Expo, the 5K and many many other events that celebrate the International Running Community has been replaced with a pause in activity.

Solo runs or runs with members of the same household replace group runs. Social distancing is the order of the day with runners, walkers, bike riders and dog walkers being mindful to give a wide berth to other persons getting in their exercise.

While this April is one of the most glorious Spring times we have experienced in Boston, it takes a special kind of attention to appreciate the beauty of Spring in the midst of the pandemic.

It takes discipline to stay focused on health and well being, a regular exercise program and to stay optimistic focusing on Hope and Love.

Ever since I received the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, I have lived my life in the present moment while imagining the future I wanted to create. While sitting in a leg brace and using a cane for mobility, having been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I wrote beautiful poetry seeing myself as healthy, happy and whole while also healing my past through the power of forgiveness and gratitude.

As the world caught in the throes of a pandemic swirls around me, I meditate, write poetry, and run to stay tethered to Source and to avoid getting pulled into that vortex of panic and fear.

Today we went out for a 5K run but with the need for social distancing, ended up doing a 3.5 mile run.

We ran by the soon to be opened renovated Route 9 Reservoir and then through our neighborhood. We appreciated the vibrant colors, the clear water of the Reservoir and the sound of geese celebrating the beauty of the day. We waved and smiled at people we passed and everyone smiled and waved back. There seemed to be a collective sense of appreciation for the beautiful day and the gift of being outside.



It's a very different April in Boston. It feels as though it's our time in the cocoon and I feel as though there is a journey of profound transformation happening in each of our individual lives, our lives as a community and as a global community.



After the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome, I thought my life was over. Life as I had known it was in fact over. I needed to take a pause, heal and emerge as the champion I was always meant to be.

May this time of pause in our lives bring us to greater awareness and may we emerge as the champions we were always meant to be.

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

The Thoroughbred

A dark horse
dark past
finishing last
ready to quit
battered and bruised
a foal fouled
yet Spirit unbroken
a thoroughbred deep inside
despite appearances
all she needed was a chance
someone to believe in her
a horse whisperer
in the mist
amidst fog and foliage
she runs
breaking free
transformed
into the champion she was always meant to be.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

Be sure to visit my website to learn more about my inspirational journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the Boston Marathon and beyond!

My books are available on Amazon.