Muddy Shoes and Smiles for Miles

 

February is typically the month when we have lots of mud in Boston. This January, we've had very little snow and lots of rain that made for muddy runs around the Reservoir. Our running shoes have been caked with mud and wet through to our socks. We clean them off and put them against the baseboard radiators to dry out. I smile and feel such joy that a) I have running shoes and b) I can play in the dirt.

When I was growing up, I never had the childlike pleasure of going out and splashing in puddles or playing in the mud. I was learning how to navigate life after having had contracted the polio virus when I was five and a half years old. I was a stranger to athletics and running? Forget about it. 

After the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, now 16 years ago, I set out on a quest to heal my life. I was led to the sport of running after writing poems about running free and splashing in puddles without my toe up leg brace:

I called my pen my divining rod for healing that was harnessing the power of the mind/body connection as I visualized feeling free, healthy, whole and healed in the wake of the once devastating effects of paralytic polio and trauma.

From "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life":

One night I had a dream that I came out of my leg brace and was splashing around in the rain much like Gene Kelly did in Singin’ in the Rain. When I woke up, I penned this poem:

 

Come Out and Play

 

Arms flung open wide dancing in the rain

pure abiding joy to feel alive again

healing tears fall and blend in God’s puddle

no time to sit in a corner and huddle

all the old rules driven by fears

washed away now by God’s loving tears

the imprint dad left no longer remains

rain washes away all of the stains

baptized with love, Truth lights my way

the sun shines through on this rainy day

splashing and laughing my heart opens wide

embracing and flowing I’m one with the tide

God takes my hand release the old way

bathe in my glory come out and play!

 

We've been so blessed with mild temperatures and little snow fall this winter. I feel the joy of running again in my soul and on my soles after going through the pandemic, and after a reaction to the vaccine that took a toll on my body. All that matters is here and now.

Yesterday, Team McManus headed to Heartbreak Hill for our training runs. Ruth Anne and Tom are training for Half Marathons #2 and #3 to raise money and awareness for Victory Programs. They are working with Coach Brian Simons of Creaky Bones Running.Coaching.Performance. They each have their individualized plans but we all warm up together. There were smiles on everyone's faces despite the grueling challenge of the hills. The Hills are once again alive with the anticipation of the 2023 Boston Marathon. It's amazing how, since the pandemic, there is a deeper appreciation for the events that we missed and for feeling the joy of being together without masks or the need to socially distance.

 

As Tom and Ruth Anne went on their way, I continued at my pace. What a joy to have solid ground beneath my feet for a late January run. 

I thought I recognized one of my runner friends as he went by me. When he turned around, I knew it was him! We'd chatted on Facebook about hoping to see each other again on Heartbreak Hill once the pandemic ended. Three years later - here I am with Dominic Herard.

Dominic came to Hyannis Marathon Weekend in 2020 to race and to hear me speak at the pre-race pasta dinner. What a joy to hug and to hear the latest happenings with running goals in Dominic's life. He has been crushing his goals including recently running his first marathon. He is going to run the New Bedford Half and Providence full this year so we know we will be seeing more of each other sharing in the joy of running friendships.

 

I saw a lot of Spaulding Race for Rehab runners out on the course. I felt nostalgic about my 2009 Boston Marathon run and cheered them on with a "Hey Race for Rehab." There were more miles filled with smiles!

 

One of the runners from the Team and I struck up a conversation. It seemed as though we knew each other as we chatted with such ease and familiarity. That's what happens with runners. Coincidentally, I had liked her posts in the Race for Rehab Facebook Group.

 

As we move into 2023, I am excited to have more muddy shoes and many smiles for miles. My heart overflows with gratitude. What a miracle that I am able to celebrate 16 years of healing and be surrounded by an amazing village of runners that continues to grow and grow!

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

Running, Redemption and Freedom - One Moment in Time

 

 

Sixteen years ago, I was given a life changing diagnosis of a progressive neuromuscular disease that led me to the sport of running. I got still and asked for Divine Guidance in February of 2007. The answer to my prayer came in the form of a poem, "Running the Race." A flurry of poems flowed out of me helping me to heal my past rife with trauma, and create a future very different than the one predicted for me by the medical community. I was not destined to spend my life in a wheelchair. I experienced a miraculous journey of transformation through the sport of running. That poem foreshadowed my 2009 Boston Marathon run.

As with any journey, and as is true for life, there were many ups and downs on and off the roads. But my dedication to my health and wellness routine remained steadfast. In the Spring of 2021, as my pace slowed way down despite my best efforts and I began experiencing a range of symptoms that began after I received the 2nd COVID injection, my passion for my running and racing waned. I was content to be support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne as they built speed and endurance. I accepted where I was, grateful to be able to do as much as I was able to do.

BUT at the end of November, I realized that I had not come this far only to go this far. Ruth Anne had been saying how much she missed doing a race with me. I suspect she also missed seeing that exuberance I felt when I conquered myself on the roads. In early November, we found the First Run 5K/10K in Lowell that many of our runner friends had done in past years (minus the COVID years). I was planning to be the spectator for Tom and Ruth Anne doing the 10K. (See yesterday's blog with more details about events leading up to race day along with a race report.)

After my race, many of the quotes about running came back to me such as

and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recalled how I felt after I crossed the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and what I said to the reporter at the end of my interview for Channel 7 News:

It was a moment of redemption! And I knew that the moment was so much bigger than I was. I have been inspiring audiences of podcasts and radio shows and at race expos with my epic journey. After my 3rd Bermuda Half Marathon in January of 2018, I needed time to reset and take time off from racing. I did virtual races during the pandemic but, until Sunday, coincidentally New Year's Day, I had not experienced my body actually racing pushing myself to see what this body could still do.

I am still feeling the thrill of that 5K. I felt a oneness with all that is and, as George Sheehan said, found something perfect inside of myself; perfection beyond all that I have lived through, most recently experiencing a reaction to the vaccine.

What freedom lies in transcending once perceived limits. How miraculous that I was able to once again harness the power of the mind/body connection to heal on a deeper level, and rekindle my passion for the sport that I discovered at the age of 53. I have always felt the passion for the sport watching a race but it pales in comparison to feeling the exhilaration of being off of the sidelines once more. 

 

 

It was one moment in time among many other miraculous moments in time that I will add to my collection of treasured times since the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome now a little over sixteen years ago. 

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

I'm Now Off the Sidelines..or...

 for someone who was supposed to be in a wheelchair, you run pretty fast!

Wow it's been a little over 16 years (December 2006) since I was given the life changing diagnosis of Post Polio Syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease and told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. In February of 2007, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. The answer came in the form of a poem, 'Running the Race' and then a volume of poems flowed through me healing my past and creating a future very different than the one the doctors predicted for me. Little did I know at the time, that poem would foreshadow my 2009 Boston Marathon run. Here are the final stanzas of the poem:

Using wheelchair to travel, set limits on what I could do
resulted in joy to realize I could live life anew.
Celebrated my body-creaks, groans and need for a brace
while in my mind I focused on winning a 10K race.

I'm now off the sidelines, no need to sit and whine
so much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine.
After all these years I can join the loving human race
I exceed all expectations and now I set the pace.

While I ran several virtual races during the pandemic, I had recently shied away from being a part of any races. I haven't wanted to give any extra energy to a reaction I had to the vaccine booster in May of 2021,  and so haven't posted about my running or shared about the reaction I had. I've been consistent with my health and wellness routine of strength training twice a week and going out to get my miles in three times a week. I walked/ran through the discomfort.

I gave thanks to my body for whatever it could give me while focusing on feeling the healing harnessing the power of the mind/body connection. I was focused on being support crew for Tom and Ruth Anne as they were training for the Providence Half Marathon to raise money and awareness for Victory Programs. I was not focused on self-care. In February of 2022, I knew my body needed a break. I wrote a blog, Rest and Hope. Little by little, my body responded to the much needed rest and being able to better express my needs to the family amidst the whirlwind of activity that was happening in our lives. But the symptoms persisted. I continued to harness the power of the mind/body connection and peeling back the layers of childhood trauma that still needed to heal. I focused on patience and compassion for and with myself.

I decided that I would focus on strengths and abilities letting go of any time goals and enjoy being outdoors in every kind of weather. I would cheer on Tom and Ruth Anne at their races. We would go in opposite directions around the Reservoirs near where we live or as we ran around Jamaica Pond to give high fives and selfies. 

On November 30th, I played around with speed work on a short neighborhood run. I saved photos of a 14 and 15 minute mile pace remembering when I was able to maintain that pace for a 5 or 10K. 

 

 

Several weeks ago, I revamped my strength training workouts feeling enough was enough. I incorporated some of the workouts that Tom and Ruth Anne were doing to complement their running. I knew I needed to make a shift rather than feeling stuck with the cycle of symptoms that persisted. I intensified my meditations and visualization. I released attachment to any specific outcomes. I saw posts from Dr. Joe Dispenza who reminded me that there are no limits to the body's capacity to heal. One of his posts said Believe...Behave...Become. I needed to once again embody the me I was always meant to be beyond trauma and paralytic polio, and how my body responded to the vaccine despite my best efforts to ensure ease and comfort after receiving the booster.

Ruth Anne has been asking me about doing a race with her and Tom that was walker pace friendly. In my mind I thought my racing days were over. In my heart and spirit I knew otherwise. I was hesitant, but Ruth Anne insisted we do the Virtual First Run 5K/10K. When I looked at the last finisher from 2022, I said there was no way I could get close to that pace for the 5K and suggested I be support crew for them running the 10K. But she was quick to point out that if we did a Virtual Race, I wouldn't have to feel the pressure of what if I finish last or the finish line closes before I finish. The last finisher of 2022 finished at a 19:18 minute pace. I'd been doing an average of a 20+ minute/mile pace. 

When I got up this morning, I felt pre-race jitters like I had not felt in a very long time, especially since I had not run a race in a very long time! This quote came to me during my morning meditation:

Yes it's a new day and a new year and it's time to harness the power of strength from the Divine and new thoughts transforming the physical sensations I experienced after my booster shot. During our drive home from a day trip to Falmouth last week, we were treated to a spectacular sunset that became a magnificent light show in the sky. As I saw the magnificence of that sunset, I drew energy from it to incorporate into my healing. In my meditations and visualizations, I anchored to my previous success as a runner.

I had no idea what my body could give me today but whatever it was I would be grateful and celebrate the gift of being outdoors on a glorious day for 1/1/2023. 55 degrees and sunny is a gift from Mother Nature in Boston in January as winter took a hiatus for now.

I embraced the miracle of healing that allows me to get outside and go for 3.11 miles whatever the time.

Team McManus had a perfect pre-race morning. We were in perfect rhythm getting ready to go to the 'starting line.' at the Cleveland Circle Reservoir.

We did a warm up before we left the house. My thought for the day was a quote that my beloved personal trainer Janine Hightower (who tragically passed in March of 2022) used, "Let's see what this body can do."

Tom and Ruth Anne warmed up with me. I did not look at my pace and ran from the inside out. I remembered how it felt to cross a finish line with a PR. It was a glorious day although at times there was a headwind. I powered through the headwinds and also took a few moments to take photos and enjoy the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We go in opposite directions so we can meet up on the course to take a selfie:

and a photo of Ruth Anne:

 

Tom asked me what my pace was during one of our high five meet ups. I had not been looking at my pace until he asked. "Oh it's 18 something."

"Wow - you're crushing it," he said.

Tom and Ruth Anne were close by when I had .11 to go. They do a run/walk and said that it was time for their walk so they would finish my race with me.

I asked Ruth Anne what our pace was on her Garmin.

"It's a 19:00 minute mile."

At that point, I wanted to finish strong.

"We have to go faster. Pace me."

"Oops. That was lap time not pace right now."

We laughed and talked about how the power of belief can alter perception.

I went as fast as I could to finish. Tom and Ruth Anne suggested I stretch and sit in the sun while they finished their 10K. 

 When I saw my pace I was at once stunned and exhilarated. I looked through Nike+ statistics and the last time I had run an 18 minute pace was in March of 2021 at an 18:20 minute/mile.

Here are my statistics from today's race:

My average pace was 18:42 with an overall time of 58:14. I looked at the finishers' times for the in person race. There were 8 people who finished with times after my time. Who would have thought I could have been a successful back of the pack runner with the way I was feeling up until a few weeks ago and doing paces in the 20+ range.

What happened today was a miracle. I had no idea what pace I was doing during the race. I felt this profound connection to the Divine running my race at my pace releasing all attachment to the outcome. One of the intentions I set last night for 2023 was to break the sound barrier on once perceived limitations. I put together a Guidelines to Live By for 2023 at the prompting of one of my Facebook friends:

Guidelines to Live By for 2023: Open my heart to infinite possibilities. Gratitude for all my blessings Choose faith over fear. Expand and create Feel joy Harness the power of mood shifters Connect with like hearted souls Go on a trip Celebrate life’s moments big and small Carpe diem Be grateful Make time for meditation and self care Break the sound barrier of once perceived limitations Let go of control and lean into whatever may be happening Replace judging thoughts with thoughts of tenderness and kindness

Day one has been a most spectacular day for me and for Team McManus. For the first time in a very very long time I feel that I'm now off the sidelines. I am so excited for all the adventures that this New Year is going to bring both on the roads and in my life.

Here's the full text of "Running the Race":

Running the Race   

Early summer 1959 my kindergarten year
everyone around me filled with nervous fear.
Despite the Salk vaccine hope polio would disappear
the polio virus crept right up and knocked me in the rear.

Dancing all around the gym feeling free just like a bird
I dropped to the ground just like a stone and no one said a word.
The pain it was so searing-the diagnosis even worse
"It's polio" the doctor said...he was abrupt and terse.

Called one of the 'lucky ones' I had a 'mild case'
but with the other athletes I could never keep their pace.
Miss Holly physical therapist, curly hair and a warm, broad smile
it tempered the pain of being apart - to walk I'd take awhile.

I always wore those 'special' shoes the kids they poked and teased
with no support and much abuse with childhood I wasn’t pleased.
But put nose to the grindstone and learned all that I could
I couldn't kick a ball but my grades were always good.

Years went by and no more thought to polio did I give
I accepted the limp, everything else and decided my life I would live.
But symptoms of weakness and muscle pain did grow
I kept a stoic face hoping no one else would know.

Life no longer was my own I struggled through each day
suffered in silence, alone and afraid tried to keep depression at bay.
And with the grace of glorious God my world it opened wide
I discovered there was a Post Polio team and they were on my side.                                            

Sought out paths for healing and my spirit flew free
for the first time in life, I could truly be me.
The chains are gone and possibilities abound
I'm a tree with my roots planted firmly in ground.

Using wheelchair to travel, set limits on what I could do
resulted in joy to realize I could live life anew.
Celebrated my body-creaks, groans and need for a brace
while in my mind I focused on winning a 10K race.

I'm now off the sidelines, no need to sit and whine
so much gratitude fills my heart and love and beauty shine.
After all these years I can join the loving human race
I exceed all expectations and now I set the pace.

Happy New Year to you and yours. Cheers to a year overflowing with healing, hope and infinite possibilities!

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon 

 

A Tribute to Jamie, Our Beloved Cat

 

In October of 2011, our lives were changed forever when we adopted Jamie from the Animal Rescue League of Boston:

There was a post on Facebook from radio personality Mauzy Stafford that it was free cat adoption day at the ARL Boston. Our cat before Jamie, Alex,, was only 3 years old when he became ill and crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. We vowed that was it! No more cats. Tom and I had cats before we met and knew both the love they bring into our lives and the heartbreak when they leave.

But there was something about the Free Adoption Day and the photos posted on Facebook that gave us 'pause' to at least see what animals were there for adoption. 

We filled out the pre-adoption survey and then visited with the cats. There were kittens that were too feisty for us. As we let the staff know what we needed, they led us to Jamie. She was a 2 1/2 year old cat who was very shy. She wouldn't let staff pick her up. One of the volunteers made the bed for Jamie to bring her comfort. She was found on the streets in Medford but apparently had come from a home because she was spayed. She was in ill health but the ARL nursed her back to her health and she was ready to find a furever home. Because of her shyness, it was hard to find a furever home for her. We just knew she was the cat for us. 

It took Jamie 3 weeks to have any interaction with us. We knew she was okay because her food dish would be empty and her kitty litter box had waste in it. We gave her the space she needed to adjust to our home and once she did, she would sit in our lap. She would not let us pick her up which of course was a challenge when she had to go to the vet but she loved to snuggle and have her belly rubbed on the kitchen floor.

She did not like any toys or to play in the way many cats like to play but she had a sense of play watching animals through the window as she perched on the top of 'her' sofa. She loved running up and down the stairs from the 2nd floor all the way to the basement. One of her favorite times of day, besides meal time was to meditate with me. Whenever she heard Dr. David Hamilton's voice come on for a meditation, she would come bounding up the stairs to meditate next to me. She loved just being around us. She would often meow or do the "call of the wild" as we liked to call it for us to come downstairs just to be with her. She'd 'watch' shows on the computer with us by coming in between Tom and me to have a good view of the "West Wing" or a movie we'd be watching.

As we rescued her, she rescued us by infusing our home and our lives with a love that only an animal can bring.

Here are some of our favorite Jamie moments:

Her favorite blanket year round.

During meditation, she held my hand.

 During a Sunday strength training workout. She loved to be in the middle of where the action was.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I got up from my chair, she'd hop right up and make herself at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of my favs. I wonder what she was thinking about!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here she is with my book Hope is a Garden:Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic. She was reading about herself in several essays and poems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Her favorite spot in the sun on her favorite 'blankie' - our comforter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Tuesday, Jamie had a sudden weight loss and stopped eating and drinking. She has had other episodes where she couldn't eat or drink for a few days and we thought she was ready to transition but then she would suddenly bounce back after we sat with her and played Dr. David's meditations, the Heal Documentary soundtrack and sent her lots of love and healing energy.

By Thursday we knew this was not meant to be this time. We explored what to do if she transitioned at home and also called our vets to see about helping her make her transition. Tom was in his office and Ruth Anne and I were at the table doing our work when all 3 of us heard her jump off the couch... only she hadn't! She was fast asleep. When she went downstairs a short while later and lay down in her kitty litter box we knew we needed to take her to the vet to help her along. When she was well she never let us carry her but during the three days she would let us hug her and carry her up and down stairs. There was one moment on Wednesday when she was lying on our bed that her eyes sparkled and her head was on her paw and she looked healthy again. Such a great memory to cherish of those final days.

 

They have a beautiful living room set up at the vets where animals and families can experience a loving and peaceful transition. The doctor who cared for her was an angel as was everyone we met. We sensed she was gone before they even administered the medication but they gave it to her anyway to ensure her comfort. It was a beautiful way to say goodbye. 

 

She is sending lots of signs to let us know she is still with us although we do miss her physical presence. I couldn't meditate yesterday because it was too painful so I honored those feelings. Ruth Anne and I went through pictures and I started this blog post as a tribute. Thank goodness we have so many wonderful photos of her life with us and Facebook reminds me daily of moments we shared.

 

Thursday evening after dinner we did what we always would do when Jamie was alive; we'd vacuum to make sure she didn't 'snack' on any crumbs that we may have dropped. We have a cordless vacuum that Jamie hated although as time went on, at times, she could tolerate being in the same room with it. It was fully charged and we had not used it during the day. Ruth Anne was with me and when we got to the part of the kitchen where Jamie's tray with her food dish and water dish had been, the vacuum stopped. It.just.stopped. I started it up again after moving from that spot and it started flashing low battery. When I put it back on the charger all the lights started flashing AND it was going on and off. I tried to turn it off and couldn't! I took it off the charger and waited a few minutes before I placed it back on the charger.

On Friday afternoon, we heard what sounded like a plastic cap dropping on the floor in the kitchen. Ruth  Anne and I looked at one another; Tom asked from his office, "What was that?" We all shrugged. A little while later, I went in the kitchen to stir the chili on the stove and was stopped in my tracks. In the middle of the cooktop was a green bottle cap from Tom's salad dressing bottle that was in the sink to be washed out. She loved jumping on the counter and playing with whatever was in the sink!

Ruth Anne and I ran an errand yesterday. As I went to pick up my keys, one of the pendants I have hanging from it was separated from the rest of the key ring. There was no opening on any of the rings nor on the "Broadway" pendant.

We looked at each other and said "Whoa."

 

Tom and I woke up at 6am this morning feeling chilly. We 'accused' each other of 'stealing' the comforter. Jamie would wake us up early morning to get fed or even if she had food left in her dish, to have company. Neither Tom nor I had the comforter on our side of the bed. There was one corner of the comforter on the corner of the bed; the rest of the comforter was in a kind of 'nest' on the floor in front of the bureau. I remembered we had taken a photo of her on the blanket in front of the bureau. I found this photo from February of 2021:

We are heartbroken that we no longer experience the precious gift of her physical presence but she is letting us know she is still with us from the other side.

Oh how we miss you Jamie but you sure are sending us a lot of signs to help bring us comfort.

As my friend Jenn Solomon said, "Grief is love with nowhere to go."

We are wrapping ourselves in the blessing of love you left in our hearts to heal the ache of the absence of your physical presence.

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon 

An Eagle Sighting - It's a Sign!

 

It was a picture perfect Autumn day for Saturday's run. The temperature was moderate for late November and there was a head wind but when the wind stopped, the sun was warm:

The Universe is always sending us messages once we pay attention! As I turned the corner around the Reservoir on yesterday morning's run, a person with a powerful zoom lens on his camera had it aimed at a tree. People gathered and looked up. I stopped in my tracks to see a bald eagle perched on a tree. The photographer said it is very rare to see an Eagle near an urban area. I tried to capture a photo with my iPhone but then I paused just taking in that majestic and sacred moment. I made eye contact with the Eagle.

I knew it was a sign. As soon as I got home I google'd quotes and information about the Eagle as a spirit animal.

The Eagle spirit animal is an inspiring messenger. With the ability to soar to heights other birds merely dream of, the Eagle is a powerful animal totem that offers lessons about looking closely at the most minute of details in order to see life from a broader perspective. When this graceful hunter comes into your life, it’s time to look inward with a careful eye. Allow your heart to guide you, and opportunities you never dreamed were possible will present themselves when you least expect it. Eagles have feet with four toes. Four is a symbol for having a solid foundation and being grounded. Those who are guided by the Eagle spirit animal are grounded. Even though the Eagle can soar to great heights, they are still strongly connected to the earth. Among being grounded and connected to the earth, those guided by the Eagle are also resilient and in complete harmony with the spiritual aspects of their lives. Unafraid of the unknown, these seekers accept life’s challenges with unshakable courage, determination and confidence. Source: https://www.spiritanimal.info/eagle-spirit-animal/

I got goosebumps. Sixteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Post-Polio Syndrome, a condition that is considered to be a progressive neuromuscular disease. I was told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I was experiencing the dark night of my mind, body and soul that was the antithesis of what an Eagle represents.

But I refused to take the diagnosis sitting down. After going through the initial stages of shock, fear, anger and grief, I got still and asked for Divine Guidance. The diagnosis was given to me in December of 2006. In January of 2007, I met a master magician of a physician, Dr. ElAbd who told me that he could partner with me to eliminate the pain in my cervical spine of a disc pressing on a nerve by using trigger injections. He then referred me to an earth angel of a physical therapist who disagreed with the traditional view of Post-Polio Syndrome as a progressive neuromuscular disease. 

After the initial trigger injection and before my first appointment with Allison, as I got still and asked for Divine Guidance, poetry poured out of me. I felt my Spirit soar whenever I wrote poetry expressing gratitude, forgiving the people from my past who harmed me and imagining myself dancing in puddles without the leg brace, running free and feeling whole and healed.

I literally felt no pain as I wrote poetry harnessing the power of the mind/body connection to unleash the body's natural capacity to heal!

The Eagle sighting was a sacred moment for me; a connection to the Divine to let go of the past and anything that limits me and allow myself to feel fully free soaring with the Eagle continuing to heal on deeper and deeper levels. It was validation from Source about my courageous journey. In that moment of eye contact, Source communicated to me to fully open my heart to go forth with confidence as I continue to share my journey of transformation, and my books that speak to the power of possibilities after enduring unspeakable trauma after contracting paralytic polio at age 5.

Eagle totems appear to inspire (push) you to reach higher and become more than you think you are capable of. They tell you to be courageous and really stretch your limits and see what you can do. They bring a sense of courage and a desire to explore and grow.

I am excited to see how this manifests in my life.

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon 

 

 

What if today we were grateful for everything?

 

During this week last year, our oven stopped working. It's one of the essays in my newly released book, "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic," which is how I know it was during this week last year. At first I panicked. It was two weeks before Thanksgiving. We were experiencing supply chain issues as I looked for a replacement oven believing the oven was over 10 years old. We initially couldn't get an appointment to see if it could be repaired. All worked out as a technician appointment "magically" opened up a week sooner than anticipated and it was an easy fix. The oven was only two years old and we were able to enroll in a Service Protection plan. I expressed heartfelt gratitude to the technician, the customer service representative who helped us with the Protection Plan and to the Universe.

Ever since the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome, 16 years ago this December, I have practiced an attitude of gratitude. As I was loading our dishwasher on Thursday evening, I said out loud to no one, "I am so grateful I have a dishwasher." 

When I pushed the start button, nothing happened.

I checked to see if I had somehow blocked the doorway and moved dishes around.

Still nothing...

Tom was out running errands with Ruth Anne and he tried to start it when he got home.

Still nothing...

It was too late to get a dish drainer to empty the dishwasher and do the dishes. 

When we got up on Friday morning, I asked Ruth Anne if she would come to Target with me to get a dish drainer and do a little retail therapy for the holidays. Ruth Anne loves Target. Until recently, it's not been a place I've enjoyed shopping but since the pandemic, I  am so grateful to be able to go into a store and shop.

I knew we were going to go in for a dish drainer but come out with a full shopping cart because that's what happens at Target; very smart placement of items and layout of store! We had so much fun together making sure we remembered our dish drainer, choosing new Christmas decorations for home and the tree, and various other items that will bring enjoyment to Team McManus. 

When we got home, we emptied the dishwasher and had a dish washing party putting on our favorite music and feeling joy in the moment. I made the washing of the dishes a meditation feeling grateful for hot water, sight to be able to see what I was doing, that Ruth Anne and I are healthy and that we have abundance to be able to go to Target and shop with joy and ease.

The technician appointment is for next Thursday. I am focusing on a quick fix with replacing the control panel. Since the technician has the model and serial number and knows that it won't turn on, they will have the necessary part to install! 

If, however, we need a new dishwasher or it will take time to get replacement parts, we will share the joy of doing the Thanksgiving Dinner dishes together with my son and his wife. 

I learned wonderful soul lessons last year as we emerged from the pandemic. I did not panic or get upset when the dishwasher wouldn't start. I focused totally on an attitude of gratitude realizing how incredibly blessed and fortunate we are to even have a dishwasher, running hot water, food to put on plates that then need to be washed and most importantly of all a home and our health and well-being.

Just imagine how wonderful life can be if we are just grateful for everything!

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you are available on Amazon

postscript: 11/17/2022

Pat, our favorite GE technician came right on time. He told us everything he was going to do to run diagnostics to rule in or rule out certain problems. I had such confidence in Pat's ability to repair our dishwasher that I did not do today's breakfast or lunch dishes!

As he worked his mojo, I had total confidence that he was going to be able to diagnose and repair the dishwasher today.

Sure enough, it was the control board. He had one on his truck!

He ran further diagnostics to make sure there were no other issues with the dishwasher and did a software update. We had been having an occasional issue with the dishwasher not completing its cycle so in the morning, the dishwasher had to be run again. The software update fixed the problem!

I told Pat he was in my book, and told him that it was just a year ago he came to fix our oven and 'save Thanksgiving.' He asked me the title of the book and I signed and handed him a copy of "Into the Light: Emerging From the 2020 Pandemic." I put a bookmark on the page with the essay about his visit last year. I also gave him a copy of the 'prequel', "Hope is a Garden: Poems and Essays From the 2020 Pandemic." He told me how much he loved to read and looked forward to reading them!

We chatted a bit more while he made sure everything was working in the dishwasher's cycle. He has worked as a GE Technician for 35 years. His parents live near him and are into their 80's. His mother still cooks Thanksgiving dinner and he loves going to his parents' house for the holiday. I shared with him how my son and his wife are coming for dinner and while we could have easily done dishes by hand, it's a blessing to have the dishwasher repaired. He gave us a senior citizen discount and the total cost of the repair saved us about $500 from what a new dishwasher would have cost and that doesn't include the cost of having the plumbers come to install a new one! 

The best part of the encounter, though, was being able to express heartfelt gratitude to Pat and for Pat, his expertise, his care for the work he does and his kind and gentle demeanor. We had the opportunity to get to know him a little better after many service calls he has made to repair our wall oven. I am so grateful he was the technician assigned to us today.

My gratitude in advance that the dishwasher would be fixed and expressing that confidence to the Universe by not doing today's dishes, created a wonderful encounter with a delightful positive outcome that we will be able to load our dishwasher after our Thanksgiving feast!

What if today YOU were grateful for everything that you have now and give thanks for blessings on their way. 

Serendipity and Synchronicity Flowing Across the Pond

One of my favorite persons, Dr. David Hamilton often comments on or likes Michelle Townsend's posts on LinkedIn. Michelle lives in the UK near London and David lives in Scotland. She has gone to hear him speak and has posted that "How Your Mind Can Heal Your Body" is a book that influenced her healing journey. In his book, 'Why Woo Woo Works," David talks about a web in the Universe that can draw people together. Have you ever thought of a person you haven't thought about for awhile and hear from them "out of the blue" or experience chance meetings that inexplicably blossom into something more? You get the idea then. 

I enjoyed Michelle's posts that fill LinkedIn and Facebook with uplifting and inspiring quotes and messages in a beautiful setting for the text, and she enjoyed mine.

After I posted my blog, "Faith is Like Wi-Fi", Michelle shared that there was powerful synchronicity in my blog.

 

 

 

It inspired her to write her blog, "Writer's Block - Letting Go to Flow."

 

 

 

 

 

In very short order, we discovered a friendship was blooming across the Pond. We supported each other's writing endeavors and I was inspired to ask Michelle if she would have the time and desire to read my manuscript, writing an editorial review.

After Michelle read the manuscript, she sent me a tender-hearted email giving me feedback from the viewpoint of the reader. She said that the book is amazing and she understood if I didn't want to incorporate her feedback into a revised manuscript, but felt that it was important for her to send me the feedback. She felt a nudge from the Universe to share it. 

Her suggestions were spot on and it was easy for me to make the edits based on her feedback. I ordered another proof of my book, made sure that it read well with the edits and then, was finally able to hit the publish button.

Here is her review:

"Such an empowering book of transformation! “Into the Light” takes us on an amazing journey with an ‘attitude of gratitude’. A journey traveling through the pandemic, Mary shares her motivational, inspirational state of appreciation for the simple pleasures in life. She cultivated the power of gratitude through the difficulties highlighted during the pandemic following her healing from Post-Polio Syndrome, finding ways of maintaining Runnergirl along with husband Tom, and daughter Ruth Anne.

Mary finds herself navigating her beliefs and decisions, using her mind body connection to help regarding the vaccine after the memories of contracting paralytic Polio during the last polio epidemics in the United States. 

 

Mary’s wonderful words that flow through her journaling and poetry bring emotions forward with powerful guidance and appreciation, using the pandemic as a great force for transformation and growth, encouraging us to our own place of self-reflection." ~Michelle Townsend C.Hyp, D.Hyp, C.I.H, UKHR, I.H.A, CNHC Registered. Professional/Clinical Hypnotherapist. Founder of ‘Harmony Life Balance’ 

 

Coincidentally, as Michelle talked about in her blog, she is writing a book and was wrestling with her book title. One day, while out on a run, a possible book title for HER book came to me. She shopped it around with friends and family and they loved it. She then mentioned another phrase to me that she plans to use in an upcoming blog and I suggested she incorporate that into the title. No spoiler alerts here but I can tell you Michelle has an incredible healing journey that needs to be shared with the world and will be next year.

A few months ago, I did not even know who Michelle Townsend was. We are now dear friends, champions of each other's creative endeavors, feeling goosebumps all over as synchronicity and serendipity flow across the Pond.

 

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

Visit the News and Events tab to listen to my inspiring and uplifting interviews

My books to motivate, uplift and inspire you with a powerful message of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon