Uplift

Boston Marathon Weekend is called Runner's Christmas. The anticipation of the weekend leading up to the 3rd Monday in April is filled with reunions, spending lots of money at the Expo and eating out at the restaurants in and around Copley Square, walking down Boylston Street and taking pictures of the finish line in the background, remembering the events of 4/15/13 while also sharing in the sheer joy and exhilaration of our City, the world and all that is Boston Strong.

Runners who will be toeing the line at Hopkinton share their nervous energy. We savor the Pressers with elite runners and watching the 5K.

There's a magic unlike any other that surrounds the Boston Marathon and wonderfully engulfs everyone and anyone in its path.

It is an infectious experience of endurance, joy, celebration, freedom, grit, determination, resilience, strength and most of all community.

There is no Runner's Christmas this year in April. There is a collective sadness and nostalgia that is being shared while maintaining social distancing.

While I do not read the paper in depth nor do we watch news on TV because we don't have a TV, I did catch a headline this morning and glanced over an article that said there were few signs of hope for Massachusetts based on a comparison with Washington State. It went on to say that some Public Health officials disagree about whether or not it makes sense to make state by state comparisons but the phrase that stood out to me was, there were few signs of hope.

What?? How can you say that especially about Boston that has endured and turned into glory the events of 4/15/13.

Why?? Why send out messages of doom and gloom that only serves to suppress the immune system and raise panic, rancor and divisiveness?

And so I knew I needed to meditate ....

During my meditation, a poem started to percolate that I finished within an hour:

Uplift

When doom and gloom pervade the news
a knowing smile spreads across face
Truth beyond statistics
trusting in Source’s glorious grace.

No hope it’s grim the headlines cry
in my heart I know what’s right
looking beyond appearances
seeing with third eye sight.

Rainbows after storms appear
birds joyfully herald start of new day
joining faithful hearts together
torch of healing lights our way.

Transform transcend a time to breathe
cast out worry with ways of old
step into dawn of bright new world
shining brave and bold!

Uplift and feel empowered
release all sense of fright
Flow as One together
Bathe in Source’s glorious light.

A vision on horizon
our new way now to be
grateful gracious loving
All Beings whole and free.

My friends on Facebook are sharing memories of Boston Marathon Weekend. While we ache for the loss of Runner's Christmas Weekend, we are sharing the joy of all that is the Boston Marathon knowing that in September we will be bolder, stronger and more joyful than ever before.

Jacqueline Hansen shared a nostalgic post. One of her friend's posted this comment:
As marathoners we know about pacing, about hard days, about broken dreams and yet we keep showing up. We hang onto hope. We can beat this current storm. We will win this race. And the after party will be glorious!

And whether you've run marathons on the road or are running the marathon of your life, let us all pledge to uplift and uphold one another shining as brightly as we can to dispel darkness, despair and disease.

From my heart to yours
In health and well being,
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!

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