From Crocus to Crickets - End of Summer Miles With Smiles!

 

While I am nicknamed the Empress of Enthusiasm and my posts are primarily positive, there is something that not a lot of people know about me. I used to dread Labor Day Weekend. My father died by suicide on 8/1/1971. Somehow, I mustered the strength and resilience to begin my freshmen year at Boston University in September. The diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006 opened a portal to healing. I discovered the gift of poetry in my soul and the runner within me was born in my imagination. I transformed from a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma to one who experiences life through the lens of gratitude, joy, celebration with eyes wide open to the miracle of life.

The feelings of angst that were once an integral part of Labor Day Weekend have been transformed to now experiencing all the excitement of a new month, cooler temperatures for running, baking, bringing out recipes for heartier foods and the beauty that comes with transition and transformation.

I wrote the poem "From Crickets to Crocus" during the 2020 Pandemic. You can find it in my book, "Into the Light:Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic." It's one of my favorite poems to revisit at this time of year when the cricket's song serenades us to sleep. It's so easy to bemoan how quickly summer flew by. During our run on the last day of August, we celebrated with our hearts filled with gratitude knowing how blessed we are to be able to be outdoors getting in the miles filled with smiles.

 The bright green colors of late Spring and summer are beginning to fade. We can sense the shift in the light. The sun rises later and sets earlier. Temperatures are starting to dip. But our spirits soar as we anticipate #allthethings that Autumn brings. We had a fabulous 5K as I train for the Somerville Jingle Bell Run in December. With cooler temps, Team McManus will head over to Somerville to train on the course. Tom and Ruth Anne are running the Providence Downtown 5K on 9/15 and the Cape Cod Half on October 12th. 

On 9/28th, we are having an event in Providence at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp in partnership with Marathon Sports Providence. It's an uplifting and inspiring event for all ages; a wonderful way to kick off a new season. 

 

Running With Health Challenges as Septuagenerians: Still Moving and Finishing Strong! {You can read the back story by following this link.}
             
Marlene Rose Gamba and Mary McManus, both in their 70’s were two strangers when they met at the back of the pack on the Bermuda Hills 10K in January of 2024; two unlikely runners who overcame  tremendous health challenges to toe the starting line. They forged a friendship to last a lifetime. Their journeys of transformation will uplift, motivate and inspire you to know what's possible despite all appearances to the contrary.

--Enjoy a 15 minute workout led by a Providence Fit Body Boot Camp Coach

--Inspirational conversation with Mary and Marlene moderated by their daughters Melody Gamba and Ruth Anne McManus

--Book signing of Mary’s book, “A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior,” a selection of the WBZ NewsRadio Book Club

***RSVP here: https://forms.gle/mxASGoEkfp2ny3ts5

Admission is Free! Books are $15.00

Light refreshments & Raffle Prizes!
3 - $50 gift cards to Marathon Sports Providence
1 - $50 gift card to lululemon Providence
1 - $50 gift card to Rhode Runner
2 - $15 gift cards to Kwench Juice Cafe
A pack of FlavaBars from FlavaNaturals
2 - autographed copies of Mary's Book
A special gift from Providence Fit Body Boot Camp

I'm always open to how the Universe will surprise me as the cricket's song heralds the beginning of this final quarter of 2024!

In health and wellness,

Mary

Visit my website to be inspired by my journey. May it ignite a spark within you to go farther than you ever believed you could. Be sure to visit the News and Events Page with links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story. My interview with the amazing On the Runs podcast team of Erika Hamel and Eric Knuuttunen is Episode 56. Be sure to subscribe and download on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to their YouTube channel.

On 9/28 I will be at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp for a book signing and inspirational conversation, "Running With Health Challenges as Septuagenerians: Still Moving and Finishing Strong." Details are on the News and Events  Page.

Proud to BU is a podcast highlighting the illustrious achievements of Boston University Alumni. Here is the link to my episode.

My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon  My 7th book, "A Most Unlikely Runner:Inspiration From The Heart of a Warrior" is receiving rave reviews and is a selection of the WBZ News Radio Book Club.

An Extraordinary Time For Renewal

 

The tree in our neighbor's yard has not bloomed in several years. We often said that the tree was lonely for its original owners who passed away and their children sold the property. The property is now being used as a rental property. The new tenants are lovely and wanted to know how to help the tree bloom. We suggested that they lovingly trim the dead branches, water the soil and see what happens. 

This is what happened!

This post-pandemic season is an extraordinary time for renewal. Purple, reds, pink, and even yellow flowers seem to be showing eye-popping color. Of course perception is a big part of seeing but many of my friends in social media are making the same comments about how magnificent Spring in Boston is this year.

There's also extraordinary renewal of joy, grateful hearts, hope and celebrations.

We have been pruned during the pandemic needing to socially distance, change our habits, forego traditional celebrations and gatherings finding ourselves in a very strange new world.

Since Governor Baker lifted all restrictions, there has been a blossoming of gratitude and photos of graduates with their families beaming with an indescribable joy celebrating the milestone of graduation in the context of a pandemic. What would mark an ordinary milestone in the lives of graduates from kindergarten through college has been transformed into an extraordinarily emotional experience. We celebrate as a community deeply blessed and grateful that ceremonies and celebrations can happen once more.

Prior to resuming pre-pandemic activities, there was a collective sense of fatigue and weariness. While most adapted to wearing masks, we were tired of having to don masks wherever we went. "Will this ever be over?" was the question of the day. There were many who welcomed receiving the vaccination resulting in a shortage and frustration in trying to schedule an appointment. My daughter and I struggled with whether or not to receive the vaccine as I wrote about in Fear or Faith. 

We owe it to ourselves to take the time we need to make this transition from living under the cloud of the pandemic to this time of extraordinary renewal.

I am so excited for what takes root and blossoms as we grow in love, faith, hope, joy, hugs, gratitude, realizing our resilience and strength to navigate life's adversity taking our cue from how nature renews itself. 

Renewal

Weariness and wariness
when will this pandemic ever end?
Asking how and where and why
on my faith I must depend.
Yet being only human
I’m tired to the bone
also knowing that it’s pointless
to whine, complain and moan.

It’s been the longest darkest winter
holding tight to the end of my rope
digging deep to do soul work
clinging closely feeling hope.
As winter’s ground began to thaw
buds of renewal came into view
sensing finish line's in sight
tough miles but we made through.

Fully vaccinated
a new phrase with thumbs up pic
once deadly corona virus
our antibodies now can flick.
And with the grace of Springtime
brilliant colors burst on the scene
hearts opened with blossoming flowers
purples, pinks, yellows and reds-grass of vibrant green.

Celebrations fill social media
a kind of joy extraordinaire
caps and gowns donned with relief and pride
so much emotion fills the air.
A scene so very different
than 15 months ago
patiently (or not) waiting for these moments
giving life that special glow.

Emerging from winter’s darkness
now time to live life with delight
leaving behind the pain of the past
snuffing out those moments of fright.
Let us gather the lessons
moving forward to light our way
and appreciate every moment
of each and every day.

Be sure to listen to my conversation with Greg Chastain and Ed Siegel on their Voices of Hope podcast, The Cardinal Cafe. From Greg Chastain: The latest episode of The Cardinal Cafe is up! On this episode we meet Mary McManus. Mary is a motivational speaker, author, poet, 2009 Boston Marathon Finisher, polio and trauma survivor. She has a remarkable story of resilence, healing, Hope and possibilities. Once you hear her tell her story you will want to rush out to purchase her newest book of poems “Hope is a Garden” which she wrote during the recent pandemic. So please join us for this incredible story.

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.  

Be sure to check out my website's News and Events page for upcoming and past interviews where I share my remarkable and inspirational journey as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma.

My books to inspire and uplift you are available on Amazon.