I had just given my notice to leave my award winning career as a VA social worker after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December 2006 to heal my life. I subscribed to Cheryl Richardson's newsletter along with many other 'new age' teachers. What Divine Timing to receive an invitation to a Literary Festival where I could network and schmooze with New York Times Bestselling Authors and poets. My husband was all in with me to attend the Festival.
The first evening of events included an interview with Peter Guralnick followed by a meet and greet with the authors.
Peter Guralnick has been called “a national resource” by critic Nat Hentoff for work that has argued passionately and persuasively for the vitality of this country’s intertwined black and white musical traditions. His books include the prize-winning two-volume biography of Elvis Presley, Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love. Of the first Bob Dylan wrote, “Elvis steps from the pages. You can feel him breathe. This book cancels out all others.” He won a Grammy for his liner notes for Sam Cooke Live at the Harlem Square Club and wrote and coproduced the documentary Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll as well as writing the scripts for the Grammy-winning documentary Sam Cooke/Legend and Martin Scorsese’s blues documentary Feel Like Going Home. He is a recent inductee in the Blues Hall of Fame. Other books include an acclaimed trilogy on American roots music, Sweet Soul Music, Lost Highway, and Feel Like Going Home; the biographical inquiry Searching for Robert Johnson; and the novel, Nighthawk Blues. His latest book, Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke, has been hailed as “monumental, panoramic, an epic tale told against a backdrop of brilliant, shimmering music, intense personal melodrama, and vast social changes.”
I was standing in line at the bar behind the interviewer clutching my manuscript in a binder for "New World Greetings: Poetry and Musings for a New World." I bought a Jones New York Suit for the occasion; an outfit I would never wear at the VA. I briefly shared my journey with him and he said, "Oh you're channeling a book." I was stunned and delighted. He introduced me to Peter and suggested we chat about getting published. I took extensive notes. We attended several poetry readings and met the poets getting their books signed.
I left invigorated and inspired knowing I was on the right path as I was getting ready to close the chapter on my career as a VA social worker and step out into a whole new world.
This Saturday we return to Newburyport. Ruth Anne is running the Half Marathon for Victory Programs, the first in a Trilogy of Half Marathons to raise money and awareness for the life saving work they do. I return as a 2009 Boston Marathon Finisher and a woman whose life has been transformed through the sport of running. I have gone the self-publishing route and published 5 books. In December, I will launch "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic" on Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network with Deborah Beauvais, the host of Love by Intuition Show and the owner/creator of Dreamvisions 7 Radio Network.
I've experienced so many wonderful adventures during these past 15 years. It's a thrill to return this weekend to the place where I received validation from the Universe for taking that leap of faith leaving behind an award winning social work career at the VA and, I might add, a steady paycheck. I had no idea what healing my life meant as I attended that authors' dinner nor did I have any idea that in addition to becoming a published author that I would be a motivational speaker spreading a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities.
The last time I was in Newburyport, I wore a toe up leg brace and was about to embark on a journey of a lifetime. I am excited for what adventures await this race weekend.
From my heart to yours,
In health and wellness,
Mary
Be sure to visit my website at https://marymcmanus.com to learn about my journey to health and wellness in the wake of paralytic polio and trauma
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