Reflections on Virtual Races

The collective hearts of the running community ache for live races. We yearn for those pre-race hugs and high fives, seeing people we stay in contact with on Facebook but often only see in person at starting lines and post-race celebrations. We love to test our mettle racing against ourselves and the clock.

But as Amby Burfoot said:


The pandemic has tested our mettle in ways we could never have imagined. We yearn for a sense of normalcy to return to our lives and the lives of those we love. This morning's Boston Globe had a great article, "As we adjust to a new normal, lessons in grief and gratitude."

While we continue to mourn live events and all the joy that accompanies live events, I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate in virtual events, support great causes and honor traditions for annual events. As Kara Baskin points out, it's okay to mourn whatever we are missing in our lives right now from that mocha latte you grab on the morning commute to loved ones who lost their lives in the pandemic.

Here's our line up of Virtual Races:

Tomorrow we pin on our bibs for Catie's Closet.

Our daughter volunteered with Catie's Closet to help sort clothes and toiletries that provide dignity to school age children living in poverty. With COVID-19, their needs are even greater this year. While there is no on site sorting of clothes, we discovered their Virtual 5K. The entry fee provides a new pair of sneakers to children living in poverty in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The Virtual Event continues through September 30th. Be sure to visit their website and consider making a cash or in kind donation. Lace up your sneakers so kids can lace up theirs!

The first 10K race Ruth Anne and I ran was the Tufts 10K for women now named the Boston 10K For Women. What great memories we hold in our heart from October 2009 when we ran our fastest time on the road to the 2009 Boston Marathon and celebrated the 10K distance. Since 2009, I paced a friend to the finish line of her first 10K and ran my own PR in 2014.

Ruth Anne will be running her Virtual Boston 10K for Women on Columbus Day.

While she won't be running the route that features spectacular views of the Charles River and Boston as it loops around Cambridge and goes back into Boston, we will embrace the tradition of a race that holds many cherished memories for us.

Tom and I will loop the Reservoir in the opposite direction from Ruth Anne to run out Run for Ruth-We Dissent 5K.



Ruth Anne will use the 10K miles to log as part of her 87 mile challenge that will end on 11/3.

As part of Run for Ruth, runners get to donate to a charity that supports women's rights.

On 11/1, Tom and Ruth Anne will take to the 2nd half of the Boston Marathon course to run the Harvest Half Virtual Marathon.

Rather than do the Cape Cod Half Marathon as a Virtual Race, they deferred their race entries to 2021.

But they were psyched for a fall marathon. We did a search for Virtual Half Marathons. Ruth Anne was so excited to have the opportunity to support the Brentwood YMCA in Middle Tennessee where she attended Middle Tennessee State University as an undergrad.

The YMCA Race Series benefits the YMCA of Middle Tennessee. As a leading nonprofit committed to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of children and teens, improves community health and well-being and supports people in need right in our own neighborhood.

By participating in the race, you're making an enduring, lasting impact in your community by giving everyone, regardless of age, income or background, the opportunities they need to learn, grow and thrive.

One of our favorite Thanksgiving Day traditions is running or volunteering at the Feaster Five 5K/5 Mile race hosted by the Merrimack Valley Striders.

There would be a 3 day Expo leading up to race day where we would experience the festivities of giving thanks and celebrating the holiday season with runner friends who are like family.

We are registered for the 5K which we will run in our neighborhood while the Thanksgiving turkey cooks. We will gather in social media to share our photos and give thanks for the gift of running in our lives.

There will be no live Jingle Bell Run events this year. This is the first year since 2015, that we are not training to travel to and run in Bermuda. I presume there will be no Camp Hyannis aka Hyannis Marathon Weekend this year and even the 2021 Boston Marathon is in question. We are hopeful that the Falmouth Road Race and Cape Cod Marathon Weekends will be able to return next year.

Yet, for the foreseeable future, Virtual Races will be the order of the day and Team McManus will continue to be a part of the Virtual Races community supporting great causes and using them to keep our passion and deep gratitude and appreciation for the sport alive and well!

To learn more about my journey to the sport of running after having been diagnosed with a progressive neuromuscular disease, be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

My books are available on Amazon

To your health and well being
From my heart to yours
Mary

The Shift

As we drove on Commonwealth Avenue to our usual parking space to start our Saturday morning run, it seemed as though we all felt a collective clutch of sadness. Runners were sparse and practicing social distancing. It's as though we felt the feelings of deflation that accompanied the rescheduling of the 2020 Boston Marathon originally scheduled for April 20th, 2020. It would have been the 11th anniversary of our incredible Boston Marathon journey. I was scheduled to speak at the Expo as part of the Runners Seminar Series (which is rescheduled for September). It's magical time of year in Boston as runners complete their training cycle and we all prepare for Boston to run again. We have had a blessedly mild winter with very little snow and early cold weather in November with only a few days of cold here and there, which has made for a wonderful training cycle. It's a time when we support our friends' fundraising efforts and attend different events leading up to the Marathon.

But a hush has fallen over the Hills.

I was sluggish at the beginning of today's run. We talked about how different the Hills felt from even two weeks ago.

But as we embraced the sunshine and sighted the wonderful harbingers of Spring's return:


our pace picked up. We smiled and greeted everyone we passed. We slowly let go of all that was weighing us down.

We had some fun with our selfie today at the Johnny Kelley Statue:


Johnny reminds us all to be Young at Heart. He lived to be 97 years old! I met his nephew in January of 2009 when we were coming back from Puerto Rico after taking a break from the brutal New England winter while we trained from Boston. It was a magical encounter that I wrote about in "The Adventures of Runnergirl 1953":
Two weeks before our first run on Heartbreak Hill, we returned from Puerto Rico, after a brief hiatus from the never ending brutal New England cold weather. On the plane ride home, we met Tom Kelley and his wife, Dottie. We shared the story of Team McManus not knowing the names of the people with whom we shared pleasant conversation to pass the time on the flight back to a snowstorm in Boston.

“Hi there…my name is Tom Kelley. My uncle was Johnny Kelley.”

“I’m Dottie.” “It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Johnny Kelley” I thought to myself. “As in the Johnny Kelley. Olympian and Boston Marathon champion through the decades?!”

Dottie shared with me that Tommy lives with Parkinson’s Disease but he keeps on running as best he can. Running is his therapy. She asked for our mailing address. They had something they wanted to send to us. I had goosebumps all over.

As we parted ways heading to baggage claim, Dottie said, ‘Good luck with the rest of your training! Come see us at the Expo at Packet Pick up. Remember, Johnny will be watching over you.”

“Thank you. Get home safely and we’ll definitely come see you at Packet Pick Up. You sure made my day!” I said with a broad smile and a full heart.

A week later a package came in the mail with a note written in Dottie’s perfect cursive handwriting dictated by Tommy:

This is a poster created by Adidas for the 2004 BAA Marathon. I had Johnny sign a few when we roomed together at the Copley Plaza that week, and I know he would have gladly signed one for your family if he were here. Perhaps it will inspire you to run a good race, especially the last 6 miles. Johnny was an inspiration to many of us amateur runners and he lives on in the memories of countless runners. You can get a copy of his book Young at Heart on Amazon I believe. You'll note that his forefathers came over to the USA on the SS Marathon!!! Keep on running as I do. We loved your website and maybe some day we can meet again.

Young at Heart is the name of Johnny's autobiography and the song they played at the dedication of his statue on Heartbreak Hill.

It's so easy to forget the expanse of space and time when we focus on the news and absorb the fear and angst seemingly surrounding us but running and being out in fresh air and sunlight provides a wonderful healing balm to all of our ills. A recent article in the NY Times cited that there is a running boom happening now that gyms and pools are closed.

We even had a little race of our own at the end of our run pretending we were coming into an imaginary finish line!

What a wonderful shift we made from when we first arrived at Heartbreak Hill to when we finished our run. May we all find our way away from fear and back to love, joy, health and well being.

The Shift

Make the shift and shift to Source
shifting gears
untether from vortex of fear
troubles drift away in a hot air balloon
a rainbow of hope replaces roiling rage
how can this be?
why is this happening
to me?

This is happening for me
to shift
to sift through
transform.

Tears like raindrops
cleanse my heart and soul
clarity comes into view
a lush landscape
blessings freely scattered
take root in faith.

Source my resource
Love overflowing bathing wounds
entreating calm the storm
soothing gentle breezes
tender butterfly kisses
sunbeams warm my heart
the shift from fear to Love.

The only way to Be
Being joyful
filled with hope
the time is now.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
With love
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com

My books are available on Amazon

Countdown to the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K - Part II

Yesterday was Joseph Scott Middlemiss' sixth angelversary as I wrote about in Countdown to the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K Part I.

Joseph is the forever 6 year old son of Kate and Scott Middlemiss. From Kate and Scott's eulogy:
Has the road always been easy and pain free? Certainly not. There have been mountains to climb and many tears to shed. You have overcome things that grown adults cannot even fathom. And, after the pain, after the tears, you would always look to us and speak the same words, “That wasn’t so bad, was it??” You would move on and smile and find a way to embrace joyful life even in the halls of a hospital or the confines of a doctor’s office. It didn’t matter where you were because your infectious smile and boisterous laugh turned every setting into your own personal playground.

Joseph Scott, you have been fighting from the moment you were born. Well, even before that moment. You see, when you were still in mommy’s belly, the doctors didn’t think you were viable. They thought you were filled with too many abnormalities to be allowed to enter our world. We were so so scared but we trusted in God’s plan for you. We now believe that this faith, this trust, this grace is part of what helped to ignite your fiery, life filled spirit.

The doctors were right in one sense. You were born with many medical imperfections, but the real irony of it all is that you came into this world with one very big, enlarged heart. Perhaps this is what shortened your lifespan here on earth but it certainly symbolized the immeasurable love, faith, joy, and grace you shed on so many. Our boy with the BIG HEART was sent with an enormous mission to complete. You did this flawlessly.

As I looked out my window yesterday morning as we were getting to go on our early morning run, this magnificent sky greeted me:


I have kept an Early Morning Light Album of photos I have taken during the early morning hours. I have never seen a sky with those colors perfectly painted on the canvas of the Divine. I felt Joseph's presence and the call to action to be conscious of being kind honoring Joseph's remarkable legacy of loving and living life to the full, kindness and joy. While I try to be kind every day, on his birthday and angelversary the Team Big Heart community shares the acts of kindness they perform in Joseph's memory.



Team McManus decided that we would greet everyone we encountered on our 5K run with Good Morning, a smile and wishing them a wonderful day. Many people and runners had their head phones on and were in the zone unaware of our presence but many more would come out of themselves and greet us often saying thank you. We made it a challenge to see if we could elicit a response when someone looked like they were down or were zoned into their ear pieces. It was a joyful experience for giver and receiver to spread joy first thing in the morning. {For more on the benefits of kindness on giver and receiver please check out the work of Dr. David Hamilton.)

We were treated to splendor in nature during our run:


It looked as though there was a dove in the clouds and we saw lots of angel wings.

We took a selfie proudly wearing our Team Big Heart and LaCoste Strong shirts. Kevin is a dear friend who we met through Kate and Scott. He is recovering from a traumatic spinal cord injury he suffered in July.



As we approached the school on our street at the end of our run, we continued spreading love and good cheer. You could feel the positive energy ripple through the Heath School Community.

I had to run a few errands after our run. My first stop was Star Market. The usual outgoing and friendly woman who usually works at Customer Service was bagging groceries. When I greeted her and noticed she was not her usual self, I asked her if everything was okay. She told me what was bothering her and thanked me so much for caring. She said that she was going to make time for herself during the day and enjoy the weather.

Next up was Walgreens. A lovely woman greeted me and asked me if I needed any help. I asked her where the dental care section was. She walked me over to the section and with a big smile extended her hand and said "Here you go." I thanked her and said, "Has anyone told you today how wonderful you are?" "No," she said. "Thank you. I'm going to carry that with me through the rest of the day."

Random acts of kindness need not cost any money although surprising someone with a gift card, paying for someone's parking meter, buying flowers are always warmly appreciated. There were ripples of love and kindness sent throughout our community as we remembered and honored Joseph.

Dr. David Hamilton wrote this great article about The 3-Degree Ripple Rule of Kindness.

Since 2014, The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation has hosted a Superhero 5K as a fund raiser but also as a fun raiser to celebrate and commemorate Joseph and to honor heart warriors in the community. This year, for the first year, they are having a race beneficiary that ties in with the Foundation's first goal:
"To expand The Joseph Middlemiss 'All You Need is Love' Mission, fostering the spread and documentation of Random Acts of Kindness on local, national, and international fronts."

This year's beneficiary is The LaCoste Family.

As we countdown to the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K, I'd like to invite you to to register for the race in person, or for a virtual 5K by following this link.



There will be a Celebrity Mile where you can cheer on your favorite local celebrities and see a rematch between Jack Middlemiss, superhero heart transplant recipient and Dave McGillivray, superhero, author and heart warrior after bypass surgery a year ago.




There will be 2 days of bib pickup prior to the race at ML Shaw's 14 Loon Hill Road Dracut:
Thursday, September 26, 2019 – 3:00p-7:00p
Friday, September 27, 2019 – 3:00p-7:00p

Saturday 9/28:
Registration and Bib Pick Up: 7:00am
Kids Run: 9:30 am
Celebrity Mile: 10:00 am
5K: 10:30 am
After party

All abilities are welcome and everyone is celebrated as this community of kindness and love gathers to commemorate and celebrate Joseph Scott Middlemiss, resilience, the sport of running and reminding us all that when it comes right down to it, all we need is love and a good run to get through whatever life may hand us.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness,
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.

Countdown to the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K Part I

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.

Fundraising Friday: Kindness Rocks! (for Joey)

There was magic all around at the 6th Annual Joseph Middlenmiss Celebrity ScoopFest!

The community came out in droves to Shaw Farm for the Celebrity ScoopFest and the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation gave out the most scholarships to children in martial arts, dance and music.



As educators, Kate and Scott wanted to include scholarships that would empower and inspire children having scholarship recipients enjoy what Joseph loved most in his 6 years of being with us.

From their website:
Dance instruction can boost a child's academic performance while transforming his/her character and strengthening the self-concept. Current research not only supports this but also shows how the arts enhance cognitive, behavorial, and social/emotional growth as well. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, a calm and positive attitude, imagination, and self-discipline are developed and enhanced through the study of dance. Our goal is to provide this opportunity so as to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be leaders and to help other as they interact in their schools and communities at large.

The recipient of the "Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation" Dance Scholarship will receive a scholarship in the amount of $1,000.00 to be used for dance lessons at a mutually agreeable location. Upon selection, the recipient (and family) may select a dance center in a convenient location within the United States. A member of our board of directors will contact the center to confirm authenticity. The payment will be made directly to the dance center of the recipient's choice. ...



Joe's affinity for music began when he was just an infant. He listened to classical music his stay in the neonatal intensive care unit and everyone noticed how the melodies calmed him. As he transitioned home from the hospital at 3 months of age, his musical repertoire continued to expand. The only thing that would soothe him during typical infant tantrums was a favorite song from Johnny Cash, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, or The Beatles. By his second birthday, he began to show a strong preference for the Beatles and began to tap out the beat to many songs with his foot or whatever household item he could transform into an instrument. Throughout his toddler years, his favorite blue ukulele seemed to be attached to him and he couldn't travel anywhere without it.

Shortly after he turned three, we enrolled him in the Musical Voyagers Program at the Music Academy of Chelmsford. Each week, he was invited to learn about and experiment with a different instrument. His love of instruments and all music just exploded. We explored many instruments at home, but Joe chose to focus on his drumming skills through private lessons at the academy. He established a wonderful bond with his instructor, and his Saturday morning lessons became the highlight of his week. Joseph grew to become quite an accomplished drummer and entertained family and friends at his home, during group recitals, and through homemade videos. He was so proud of his accomplishments.

As educators, we believe in teaching the whole child. Music has always been linked to academic success. Current research not only supports this but also shows how it enhances cognitive, behavorial, and social/emotional growth as well. Music is such a powerful force. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, calm, positive attitude, imagination, discipline, study skills, and invention are developed and enhanced through the study of music.

Our son's passion for music-combined with this research-has moved us to create a music scholarship in Joe's name. Our goal is to give "the gift of music" in an effort to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be instruments of peace as they interact in their schools and communities at large.

The recipient of the "Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation" Music Scholarship will receive one year of private (weekly) music lessons at the Music Academy of Chelmsford (73 Princeton Street, Chelmsford, MA 01863). Upon selection, scheduling can be done directly with the music academy.

It is now our greatest desire to carry on Joe's legacy by continuing to touch others' lives and opening hearts just our son did with such ease and perfection. As a result, we founded The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. One key goal of the foundation is to assist children in exploring one of his passions: Martial Arts.

Even though Joey only got to attend one martial art lesson he loved it ...
and we want to share that love!

Joe's afffinity for the martial arts started at about the same time he discovered the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He loved everything about the show, had every action figure, costume, and play weapon you could imagine. And, he would put on shows re-enacting some of Leonardo's, Raphael's, Donataello's, or Michaleangelo's moves from the most recent episode. He often times made his parents a bit nervous with his jumping spin kicks that started from the couch and ended on the floor. But, he always landed on his feet, and gave his parents a big laugh.

As a result of his cardiac condition, Joseph was unable to participate in many of the organized sports that so many young boys and girls participate in every weekend. But, Joe (and his parents) were finally able to convince his cardiologist to participate in martial arts. Two weeks before his untimely passing, Joseph participated in his first and only martial arts lesson. He LOVED every second of it. He was so excited to order his gi. Unfortunatley, he never had the chance to wear it. But, we are so grateful that he had the opportunity to participate in this one lesson. It was such a happy day for him!

As educators, we believe in teaching the whole child. The martial arts can boost a child's academic performance whilst transforming his/her character. Current research not only supports this but also shows how the martial arts enhance cognitive, behavioral, and social/emotional growth as well. Skills such as working in teams, communication, self-esteem, creative thinking, a calm and positive attitude, imagination, and self-discipline are developed and enhanced through the study of the martial arts.

Our son's passion for the martial arts- combined with this research- has moved us to create a martial arts scholarship in Joe's name. Our goal is to provide this opportunity so as to enhance the lives of young students, empowering them to be leaders and to help others as they interact in their schools and communities at large.


Before the Awards Ceremony, Tom and I walked around and were stopped in our tracks by the Kindness Rocks for Joey table:


Will and Joey were best friends in kindergarten. I instantly made the connection about Will from The Foundation's informational video:


In first grade, Will came up with the idea to create Kindness Rocks For Joey. He donates all of the proceeds to the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation! Last year, on Joseph's birthday, the proceeds funded a taco party on the 8th floor of Boston Children's Hospital.

Tom and I bought two Kindness Rocks for Joey and felt the love that went into each creation. Will is now in 6th grade.

When we did a video giveaway to thank our donors for Tom's Falmouth Road Race run to benefit The Foundation, and gave Will a shout out showing his Kindness Rocks, he reached out to us saying that he'd like to design special kindness rocks for a giveaway to help us raise money for the Foundation!

In addition to Scholarships, Kindness Awards are given out at the Celebrity ScoopFest!

It's heart warming to see what big hearts children in our communities have and the acts of kindness they perform in their communities that ripples out into the world at large.



One of the recipients of last year's Kindness award, Ellie Blumberg, made cookies and sold them for her Mitzvah project. She raised over $5700 from the sales of her cookies. She designated $1000 of that money to go to a Dance Scholarship for Ava, one of Joseph's heart warrior friends who recently underwent a procedure in Philadelphia. Ava and the Blumbergs knew each other from Temple and the JCC; Ava and Ellie attended the same dance school. The Middlemiss' knew Ava through Joseph's journey as a heart warrior and met the Blumbergs through the Bersons. It's amazing how connections are made through this amazing angel!



While local celebrities like Kendra Petrone of Magic 106.7 and Jeremy Reiner of Channel 7 News scoop ice cream, there were celebrities like Kevin LaCoste, Principal of Colonel John Robinson School and Team Babsie, Beth Singleton Craig and her mom who have an incredible story that is connected to the Middlemiss Susperhero 5K!



With our hearts full, we said our goodbyes and took these photos of Grace and Scott:


We hope you will consider a donation to Tom's fundraising page by following this link and practicing acts of kindness carrying on Joseph Middlemiss' legacy of love and kindness. It's an honor and a privilege to fund raise for this incredible Foundation that changes lives around the world.

Kindness rocks for Joey and the world!


From my heart to yours
In Health and Wellness,
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 at Paper Fiesta in Natick on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon route. Proceeds of book sales for May through July are going to Tom McManus's Falmouth Road Race run for the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. You can also make a direct donation by following this link.

Fundraising Friday: All You Need is Love - The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation

Today would have been Joseph Scott Middlemiss' 12th Birthday.



From Kate Middlemiss:
Joseph loved to share birthday gifts with others on HIS birthday. The first picture is of him on the morning of his last birthday here on earth. If you look over at his backpack on the ground, you will see a gift in front of it. He brought that gift to share with his kindergarten class on his 6th birthday. I believe it was a puzzle of one of his favorite Mo Willems’ pigeon books.



It looks like Joe still likes to give birthday gifts to others on his special day. This year he gave one to our family a day early. Jack had his regular three month cardiology/transplant appointment today. We are at Boston children’s very regularly for transplant labs and various other appointments but this was the first cardiology appointment he’s had in 3 whole months. It’s unbelievable. For so long after transplant we were in clinic 2 or 3 times a week. Now this... what a gift. If was a long appointment today. Labs, ekg, echo, vitals, meeting with transplant social worker, NP, Nutritionist, and of course his favorite Dr Blume. It’s been three months since he’s had an echocardiogram and I’ve gotten a glimpse of his beautiful heart. It’s impossible not to be nervous about something bad showing up, but as I looked at the echo monitor today, I knew it was ok. I could see his perfectly proportioned heart pumping away on the screen and a sense of gratitude washed over me. It hits me every single time: this tremendous gift of life.
Our appointment with Jack’s team confirmed what I already sensed from my glimpse of the echo: Jack’s new heart continues to work perfectly, fueling his little body with new life and boundless energy. I felt Joseph at this very moment and just knew today’s great cardiac appointment was an early birthday gift from him to our entire family. Another reminder that HE is watching over his little brother just as he promised...That Jack will be ok...That Jack has his own story now.
Jack has had many transplant related hurdles to overcome but that little heart of “his” has worked perfectly since the moment it began beating on its own once placed in his body. It’s function normalized so soon after transplant and has remained that way ever since. Today was just more confirmation.
Joseph’s birthday is probably the most difficult day of the year for me. Even more so than the anniversary of his death. With his birth, I began my most challenging yet rewarding job of all time, that of a MOM. On the eve of his 12th birthday I wonder what he would be like. Who would he be today? What would he be doing to change the world? I can only imagine...
The physical loss of my sweet first born has been more painful than I will ever be able to describe. There’s this deep ache that ebbs and flows but never leaves the depth of my being. Yet, through all this pain, there is a beautiful, bright light that shines through, penetrates that thin veil between the spiritual and physical world, and reaches the surface of my soul. I think it always will. I know it will. Today, I witnessed that bright light shining right on the echocardiogram screen that captured the images of Jack’s new heart, his new life. I know it was a reminder of Joseph’s presence, a message of hope, and an early birthday gift he continues to share with us all. I love you always and forever my little man. Happy birthday eve.

From Scott Middlemiss:

"And can it be that in a world so full and busy, the loss of one weak creature makes a void in any heart, so wide and deep that nothing but the width and depth of eternity can fill it up!" ~Author, Charles Dickens

This day is and will always be one that is so hard for me to get through. The date that once represented the day I became a dad and met my hero, me inspiration, my beautiful boy...is now a date that represents so much sadness, so much pain, so much anger about all that Joseph has missed out on and was never able to do.

He has now missed as many birthdays as he celebrated here with us. Six birthdays have been celebrated in Heaven. Joseph would have been 12 today. I will always have to wonder what he would look like now, how he would be handling middle school, what he would be like as a pre-teen. These are the types of thoughts and questions that wat away at me every day, that bring about the waves of sadness and grief that are still as powerful and painful as they were on September 23, 2013.

But, as is often stated, I know and understand that this overwhelming feeling of grief is the “price we pay” for the powerful love and happiness we were able to experience when Joseph was here with us. I am blessed to be Joe’s dad. I am grateful fir every day I got to spend with him and learn from him...I just wish there had been more of those days!

And, finally, on this difficult day, I am grateful for all of you out there who continue to help us through these difficult days. Joseph lives on through all of you who support his foundation, and allow us to share his legacy of kindness and love with so many. The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation brings about so much peace and joy, and is a reminder that Joseph’s big heart continues to touch the lives of so many. Thanks to all of you, he will never be forgotten.

I love you, Joseph. I hope the other angels in Heaven are hosting a wonderful party to celebrate your special day!

Tom and I feel incredibly honored and blessed to be a part of Team Big Heart. There is a remarkable circle of people that we have met through Joseph and the Foundation.

To celebrate his 12th birthday in heaven, let's practice random acts of kindness remembering Joseph's legacy of light, love, kindness and joy.

Please support The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation by making a $12 donation to Tom's Falmouth Road Race run. You can donate by following this link. Light up the tote board of other Team members with a donation as Joseph's birthday cake would have been ablaze with 12 candles.

Remember any act of kindness and any size donation whether big or small makes a BIG difference!

Every dollar of your donation goes to the Foundation's goals:
{Josephs parents, Scott and Kate Middlemiss, have created this foundation to honor their beautiful son by continuing the kindness and love that Joey shined on everyone.}

To expand "The Joseph Middlemiss All You Need is Love Mission," fostering the spread and documentation of Random Acts of Kindness on local, national and international fronts.


To educate children on the power of kindness by supporting the efforts of schools (creating and leading motivational assemblies, providing books and related resources, buddy benches and kindness libraries), and empowering students through scholarships for music and martial arts.


To contribute to research for and spread awareness of childhood heart conditions while providing financial, social and emotional assistance to families impacted by these (pizza parties, brunches and patient and parent care bags on the 8th floor at Boston Children's Hospital).

All you need is love!

From my heart to yours
In Health and Wellness,
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 at Paper Fiesta in Natick on Mile 10 of the Boston Marathon route. Proceeds of book sales for May through July are going to Tom McManus's Falmouth Road Race run for the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. You can also make a direct donation by following this link.