On Walden Pond

During Tom's vacation week, you would find Team McManus on Olde Cape Cod enjoying a hotel stay and great seafood at our favorite restaurants. But this summer is different and so we have had to pivot.

On Monday afternoon, we decided to take a trip out to Walden Pond. We'd been watching the tweets from Walden Pond that announced capacity and how it would close when it reached capacity and reopen a few hours later. Since it was 3pm and there had been no tweets we decided to take a drive.

We got a parking space and went for a swim. With pools being closed since March, beaches requiring 12' of social distancing and lion mane jelly fish, we felt incredibly blessed to get in for a swim.


Yesterday we planned to go for a run and then return to Walden Pond for a swim. Given that the forecast predicted temperatures near 90, we had a feeling that capacity could be reached early on. We changed from running clothes into bathing suits, packed a picnic and spent a glorious morning swimming and enjoying being together unplugged, out in nature. The Pond closed a half hour after we arrived and reopened right before we left.



Thoreau's spirit is palpable at Walden Pond and these two quotes resonated with me as we enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings.



Ruth Anne and I have each had our journeys of transformation from illness to wellness. I healed the effects of paralytic polio and trauma and Ruth Anne is healing from the effects of an untreated infection that resulted in brain inflammation secondary to an auto immune response to the untreated infection. We have each learned to unlearn habits that we developed in order to survive our conditions and then to move beyond them and transform.

During our swim, a dragonfly came to visit us on each day.

I did a google search for dragonfly as an animal totem:

In almost every part of the world, the Dragonfly symbolizes change, transformation, adaptability, and self-realization.

The change that is often referred to has its source in mental and emotional maturity and understanding the deeper meaning of life.  The Dragonfly’s scurrying flight across water represents an act of going beyond what’s on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.  The Dragonfly moves with elegance and grace.  The Dragonfly is iridescent both on its wings and body.  Iridescence shows itself in different colors depending on the angle and how the light falls on it. The magical property of iridescence is also associated with the discovery of one’s own abilities by unmasking the real self and removing the doubts one casts on his/her own sense of identity.

The Dragonfly normally lives most of its life as a nymph or an immature. It flies only for a fraction of its life.  This symbolizes and exemplifies the virtue of living in the moment and living life to the fullest. By living in the moment you are aware of who you are, where you are, what you are doing, what you want, what you don’t, and to make informed choices on a moment-to-moment basis.  The eyes of the Dragonfly symbolize the uninhibited vision of the mind and the ability to see beyond the limitations of the human self.  Dragonfly’s can be a symbol of self that comes with maturity. They can symbolize going past self-created illusions that limit our growth and ability to change.
The Dragonfly has been a symbol of happiness, new beginnings and change for many centuries.  The Dragonfly means hope, change, and love.

As we celebrate healing, hope and possibilities during the summer of 2020, it was affirming to receive this sign from the Universe about the path Ruth Anne is on and the path I have walked and continue to walk.

We find blessings in the pandemic, although at times feel incredibly frustrated by not being able to enjoy the places we usually visit in summer and visit with friends. We rediscovered Walden Pond and rather than running around going to the Cape or different beaches, visiting friends, we get to slow down and make new pathways in our lives creating a present and a future with thoughts we wish to dominate in our lives. We have, through this pandemic, discovered how to simplify and declutter our lives and cherish the time we spend together; such as swimming on Walden Pond.

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com to be inspired by my journey of healing, hope and possibility.

My books are available on Amazon.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
Mary

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I'd been reflecting a lot on ease during these past several weeks. This poem flowed through me the other day:

Ease

When struggle reigns
release reins
erase stronghold on the past
ditch dis-ease.

Embrace well being
jubilant joy your jubilee of life

Go with the flow
deep knowing
giggles, laughter and freedom
cease strife

smile

heart opens wide
count your blessings
loosen grip on what can't be controlled
easy does it
floating on a sea of Love
waves caressing every cell
peace
feel Source in every sunrise and sunset
paving the path for ease.

This was on Louise Hay's Calendar on Friday:


It can be a challenge and a struggle to be in the flow and to find ease as messages of dread, fear, uncertainty, statistics and anger and divisiveness swirl around us. Yet this is the very time that it is critical to experience ease; to surrender and to be in the flow of life.

Do I like what is happening in the world around me where I see my small business owner friends struggling to keep their dreams alive and for lease signs popping up where businesses have had to go out of business or seeing that our favorite restaurant in Hyannis, The Roadhouse Cafe, has closed its doors? Do I like that races are cancelled and trips to Cape Cod or even the beach for the foreseeable future are not possible? No...but I can't control any of that!

I can support local business as much as our finances allow and enjoy take out at home. I can have an overwhelming attitude of gratitude reminding myself of how blessed we are as a family especially with Ruth Anne being healthy for the first Springtime in four years. I can enjoy and feel blessed that we have spaces to run, a spacious home, yard and wonderful friends.

I give thanks for meditation time and time to write poetry that allows messages from Source to flow through me and to touch people's hearts and souls if my words resonate to what they need to get through this time.

I have been meditating on ease...how to experience ease in my body and in my life during these times of profound uncertainty and where there is so much we have no control over.

How can I flow through my day? How can I find and experience ease? What experiences have brought me ease in the past and what experiences bring me ease now?

Having faith in the Universe as a "friendly place" as Albert Einstein once said helps me to experience ease amidst the strife and struggles that are an inevitable part of life. Trust and faith, believing before being able to see results and calming the fears when they arise help me to experience ease.

I've been through a lot of trials and tribulations in my life and through the darkness held onto faith and a vision for creating well being despite all appearances to the contrary.

May your day today and every day be easy like Sunday morning!

From my heart to yours
in health, wellness and ease
Mary

Be sure to visit my website at www.marymcmanus.com to learn more about my journey from being told I'd spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond!

My books are available on Amazon by following this link

On Worry and Peace

I woke up at 6:00 am this morning. I can usually sleep through Tom getting up to feed our beloved cat Jamie but this morning my mind raced with worries. I thought about all the quotes about worry such as the one below by Mark Twain:



or how worry robs today of its joys and how worrying is praying for something you don't want to have happen. Yet I had trouble calming my thoughts. I took deep belly breaths and focused on all I have to be grateful for. It was the dawn of a new day and although the forecast had called for rain, the sun was on the horizon. We have a beautiful spacious home and we are all healthy! We ade have a refrigerator filled with food and a bank account that is more than wenadequate to pay our bills. Tom's job at Boston College is secure; there will be no layoffs and the cost cutting measures they are taking have minimal impact on us. For the first time in four years Ruth Anne is healthy and able to enjoy Spring. With each blessing I focused on and every deep breath I took, I settled down realizing that my feelings of unease were a reflection of the times and my own trauma history.

My mind went to my happy place of creating poetry as I disconnected myself from fear and worry and connected to the Divine.

Here's what flowed through me:

Peace

Nothingness and everything resides
infinite possibilities abound without a sound.
Deep breaths
Heart beat slows in rhythm with Universe’s metronome.

All in Divine timing
trusting in yet unknown
seeing in minds eye.

Scenes set the stage
for hearts desire
setting aflame my passion
as grace reigns.

Imagination runs wild and free
unleashing Spirit …
Nothing’s lost yet all is found.

Dwelling deeply where all is well
unwavering faith in well being.

From my sacred space of peace
May all Beings find their place of peace.

I felt refreshed and ready for a new day.

Outside of my bedroom window, I witnessed the unfolding and unfurling of the miracle of Spring as bare branches now have tiny green leaves on them:


May your worries be transformed and transcended. May you find peace and a steady heart. May you feel the joy of creativity and being fully alive. Let gratitude be your bridge over troubled waters.

From my heart to yours
In health and wellness
With love and peace
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.

In the Midst of Chaos, Find Your Calm!

In the Midst of Chaos

Chaos cacophony vortex of dread
Dreadful dreary thoughts pounding in head
Cease and desist Source’s message to me
All Beings are meant to be happy and free
Carefree and loving let heart song take flight
Ease calm and peace cast away daily plight
Morning sun through the window dawns a new day
Angel slides beckoning come out and play
Rejoicing and grateful dear ones I am here
Bird song reminding there is nothing to fear.

Being 66 years old, I have lived through a lot and thought I've seen it all but life can sure be full of surprises. I've been blessed to have many wonderful adventures and surprises that have brought so much joy to my life. I've also known tragedy and heartache that at times brought me to my knees. I was part of the last polio epidemic in the United States in 1959. I contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5 after receiving 5 vaccines and was diagnosed with Post Polio Syndrome at the age of 53 yet at the age of 55 went on to run the 2009 Boston Marathon. You never know where life is going to take you. In what seems to be the most chaotic and frightening times, it is vital to find our calm.

Tom and I lived through the Blizzard of '78 when there was only eggplant left on the shelves. Fortunately I had a vegetarian cookbook and got very creative with our meals. We tend to not eat much eggplant these days.

After Ruth Anne's OT appointment at Spaulding Rehab last Friday, we decided to get our groceries. There was no way we could have ever been prepared for what we experienced at Star Market. We went first to Trader Joe's where we like to buy certain items. The shelves were bare but Ruth Anne noted, "There's the eggplant!" We aborted the mission and headed to Star Market.

There were no carriages and when we asked one of the managers where we could get a cart, she said, "They are all in use. Just wait until you see what's happening in here!"

They made an announcement for all staff to attend to carriage control and we were assertive without being aggressive to secure our cart. There was plenty of produce except for white potatoes. People were wearing masks and gloves. The fish counter and meat shelves were well stocked but there was not a box of pasta or jar of sauce to be found. People were pushing and shoving and the panic was palpable. Ruth Anne and I stayed focused getting our essentials on what ordinarily would have been a regular grocery shopping outing. Part of Ruth Anne's healing and recovery from PANDAS is to be able to grocery shop. She has gone on a few independent shopping trips but I knew this was not going to be the day to work on those skills.

I was in awe of how we remained calm despite the empty shelves and the energy of the shoppers. We were able to maintain focus and when an item wasn't available we made substitutes or decided to keep it on the list for next week. While I went to get milk and orange juice, Ruth Anne secured our place in the long and winding check out lines.

It wasn't until Friday evening that the trauma of that trip hit us. Fortunately Tom gave us a loving ear and we gave Ruth Anne extra support as her anxiety took her to a place she hadn't been since last August.

Yesterday morning she was back to her old self and we went on a run (more on that in my next blog post).

These times of uncertainty challenge us to remain calm in the midst of chaos.

We have been meditating for years. It was a practice I turned to after the diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome. There are short and long meditations and meditations that send out healing to the world. There are YouTube videos with meditations, websites with free downloads and websites with downloads that charge but we have found them to be well worth it to have a variety of meditations on hand for whatever the need is to remain calm and focused. These websites have excellent information and resources for health, wellness and the power of the mind/body connection.

Here are my favorites:
Dr. Joe Dispenza and Blessing of the Energy Centers
Bernie Siegel and on YouTube
Dr. David Hamilton I highly recommend his Cleansing Visualization; a free download
Sharon Salzberg Loving kindness meditations available on YouTube
Heal Documentary A phenomenal documentary about healing and a companion book. We use the soundtrack for meditation.

Tom and Ruth Anne took a Brookline Center for Adult Education gardening class. We are finding our calm by connecting with nature and planning our garden:


I am finding my calm with writing poetry.

Last night we revisited finding our calm with adult coloring books and Ruth Anne did a water color painting and we have plenty of board games on hand that provide fun, connection, cognitive stimulation

We find our calm with our beloved four foot Jamie who is a wonderful teacher about keeping calm in the midst of chaos:


Even before this recent crisis, for the past several years, I have been one to skim the news, not watch TV, hide posts on Facebook that agitate me and connect with like hearted people to nourish myself mind, body and soul.

While it is easy to get pulled into the vortex of panic and fear, my hope is that I have inspired you to find your calm in the midst of chaos.

To your health and wellness
From my heart to yours
Mary

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

My books are available on Amazon

Team Big Heart at the Second Annual MR8K Run for Gratitude

The Martin Richard Foundation helps young people to learn, grow and lead through volunteerism and community engagement. We look to advance sportsmanship, inclusion, kindness and peace.

By encouraging people to choose kindness, work for inclusion, and embrace diversity in local communities, we aim to influence a generation to live out these values through positive civic action.

OUR VISION
We envision a place where people recognize the humanity in others and model the decency needed for a united, compassionate, and inclusive community.

Martin Richard died at the age of 8 years old at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. His sister Jane lost a leg and his mother sustained serious injuries. Martin's father Bill had to leave his dying son to attend to his wife and daughter while ignoring his own injuries.

Joseph Scott Middlemiss died at the age of 6 years old in his father's arms from cardiomyopathy.

Each of these families could have turned their grief into rage and revenge for what was taken from them yet each chose to honor the legacies of their childrens' brief lives by establishing Foundations to create a kinder, more loving world.

The Mission Statement and Foundation Goals of The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation are:

MISSION STATEMENT
The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation honors Joseph's message of "All You Need is Love" by spreading kindness, empowering children, funding cardiomyopathy research, and supporting families dealing with pediatric cardiac conditions.
​
FOUNDATION GOALS
1. 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. (https://www.facebook.com/JosephMiddlemissLove)

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

3. To contribute to research for and spread awareness of cardiomyopathy while providing financial, social, and emotional assistance to families impacted by these cardiac conditions.

Given the kindred spirits of these two Foundations, and how running is an integral part of their fundraising and community building efforts, it was natural for members of Team Big Heart to support The Martin Richard Foundation at Sunday's Second Annual MR8K Run for Gratitude.

We found Team Captains Linda Evans Gilbreth and Brad Gilbreth among the crowd at Boston Landing. We had a bit of an adventure getting a parkings pace and arrived later than we would have preferred but all's well that started well!

Laurie Miamis, another member of Team Big Heart found us and, we also "bumped" into Dr. Tim Carter who ran The Falmouth Road race with his daughter for The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation.

I asked a random person in the crowd if he would take our photo:


The energy of love, kindness and community was palpable on a beautiful end of summer day in Boston.

We watched the kids' races and Tom snapped these two great photos that captured the joy of the day:


The announcer called the runners to the start. While I knew that I could have walked the 5 mile race, I was incredibly happy with my role as spectator and support crew.

There was a sea of MR8 singlets and shirts.

Pre-race announcements by Dave McGillivray and Bill Richard, Martin's father reminded us all of Martin's legacy of kindness and peace and what a gift and blessing it is to be healthy to get out and run a race. Peace signs became the order of the day,

Team Big Heart at the start:


A member of MR8 Team who was not running stopped me and said, "Hi Team Big Heart. They are awesome!"

He ran the Boston Marathon for Team MR8 and said that Team Big Heart had the best water stops during training and appreciated them being out ohn the course on Marathon Monday.

Alain Ferry came along with his wife Kat and adorable two girls. We go way back to when we volunteered together at the Runners World Heartbreak Hill Running Festival in 2014. He always has my back at a race! We chatted for a few minutes and they went on their way.

The starting line was transformed to the finish line. Dave McGillivray came over and we chatted about the day, his incredible Book Launch for Running Across America and how I love writing blogs that share the goodness and kindness happening in the world.

I love watching Dave doing what he does best - directing a race for a cause that he is deeply passionate about:


The excitement of the DMSE crew was building as they prepared to wepelcome back the first runner. I was able to catch him breaking the tape:


I cheered and led the crowd in a chant when Dave's son Luke came into the finish:


Thirteen year old Luke gives an epic performance when he runs and his smile lights up the world. He easily won his age group and finished 18th out of 964 finishers.

We cheered on the runners as they finished their 5 mile run through Brighton. Friends met up with finishers to take photos and joy, sweat, love, kindness and community filled the air at Boston Landing.

I was thrilled I was able to capture Laurie coming into the finish:


and spotted Tom coming into the finish to capture this action shot:


After crossing the finish line, we waited for Linda and Brad, debriefed about the race, hugged and said we would see each other in a few weeks at the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K.

I took this photo of Tom with his bling:


Two families that experienced trauma and devastating loss have transformed tragedy into triumph; grief into goodness creating ripples of kindness throughout Boston and beyond!

On June 15, 2019, two years after its groundbreaking ceremony, Martin's Park was opened.

You'll need a wad of tissues watching Jane sing A Million Dreams at the Park's opening by following this link:

Bill Richard said he did not want the Park to be a Memorial but a loud, boisterous place where children of all abilities could play and imagine, and where adults could find peace and solace in the heart of Boston.

Here is Jane's moving speech at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Park:


Dave McGillivray gave Scott Middlemiss a bib for Boston shortly after the death of his son, to use running as therapy to emerge from the deep depression he experienced after Joseph's death. From one bib, Team Big Heart has grown exponentially. Team Big Heart raised over $250,000 with bibs they received for the 2019 Boston Marathon. With that money and money they raised from other races, they have funded all of their initiatives and were able to buy a van for a young man with mitochondrial disease so he could experience the joy of driving as any healthy teenager would.

We are a community of runners with BIG HEARTS supporting each other and the work of Foundations that were borne out of loss now creating kindness and beauty in the world.

On September 28th, Kate and Scott host the 6th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K. The Race Director is Dave McGillivray supporting another cause near and dear to his heart.

More about that in my next blog post....

To hear Dave McGillivray in person inspiring as only he can, he is going to be speaking at Whiraway Sports Center in Methuen on September 11th. Follow this link to register.

To your health and wellness
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.