I Never Thought...

 

Last August I wrote the poem:

I Never Thought from "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic":

 

I never thought we'd be in lock down

with a virus in the air  

or people living in terror

events cancelled everywhere.

 

I never thought the start of a school year

could bring so much worry and doubt

that our country would be divided

hands in fists while people shout.

 

I never thought I'd find such healing

more time for meditation and rest

searching out and finding

people at their best.

 

I never thought I'd garden

fresh tomatoes scent so sweet

basil, peppers and lettuce

homemade sauce a savory treat.

 

I never thought we'd have to take a pause

priorities now set straight

love and justice rising like the phoenix

eradicating hate.

 

I never thought that we'd discover

the truest meaning of being alive

resilience, strength and courage

digging deep to create and thrive.

      

Transformation out of crisis

ushering in an era filled with hope

precious moments now revealing

no time to sit around and mope.

 

I never thought that in my lifetime

another epidemic would I see

it's a golden opportunity

for souls to now fly free. 

 

I never thought that I'd have to ponder about whether or not to receive a vaccine for a novel virus after having experienced the polio epidemic as a child. I never thought that I would have to wait 14 months between chiropractic appointments when I went every week to continue to heal the late effects of paralytic polio and trauma. I watched favorite restaurants close and the panic of small business owner friends wondering if they would have a business as we began to emerge from the pandemic.

 

I am in awe of how communities came together to support small business and the strength, resilience and creativity of my friends in business. I never thought I would experience such deep appreciation for in-person shopping at my friend's store Paper Fiesta, the intense anticipation of seeing my chiropractor for an appointment the first week of May and getting my hair cut for the first time in 14 months. Having my daughter give me a trim didn't quite "cut it."

We are emerging from the pandemic and as I wrote throughout "Hope", we were so blessed with good health, financial stability and the gift of running in our lives. While I have always lived with an attitude of gratitude, I never thought my gratitude and appreciation could run this deeply in my heart and soul. I appreciate the sights and sounds of Spring in a way I never have before. I feel the joy from posts of people getting together again and grandparents being reunited with grandchildren. It's easy to say that life wasn't supposed to be that way but the pandemic is the way it was and it's how we live our lives each and every moment of each and every day that counts. 

 

From my heart to yours

In health and wellness 

Mary

For more information about my journey from childhood polio and trauma to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond, visit my website.

 

"Hope is a Garden:Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic" along with all of my books to inspire and uplift you is available on Amazon.