It's fascinating to connect the dots that led me to being interviewed by Keith Cartwright for his TwoTim47.com podcast.
Rewind to Bermuda Marathon Weekend I in January of 2016. What a glorious tapestry woven by the Divine. At the time could I have possibly imagined what would happen a year and nine months later where I would be blessed to share my healing odyssey with Keith and the listeners of his podcast.
Keith is a wonderful and skilled interviewer whose work as a mental health professional blends with his faith in God to bring forth a conversation that will inspire and touch the lives of all who listen to his interviews.
After reading "Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life" and "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance" which I sent to him after Lashell suggested I be a guest on his podcast, Keith decided to use my poem, "Running the Race" as a way to focus the interview.
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 and 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, isolated from friends- trying 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.
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.
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.
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.
No spoilers here but the questions that Keith asked me and the topics we talked about helped me to connect the dots of my life seeing the hand of God guiding my footsteps every step of the way.
Our hope is that I can be a beacon of hope, light and inspiration to others who may be struggling with a diagnosis, a history of trauma, aging, doubts, fears and wondering if they can go the distance in their lives.
I recently edited Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance, and Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life. I updated photos and content and fell in love all over again with the gift of poetry in my life. My physical therapist, Miss Holly read Dr. Seuss to me before every painful physical therapy session, coaxing muscles and nerves to heal after I contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5. After poetry began pouring out of me inspiring mind, body and soul to heal after the diagnosis of Post-Polio Syndrome in December of 2006, a progressive neuromuscular disease by Western Medicine standards, I connected the dots back to when Miss Holly would prop me up on the chair in Dr. Moskowitz's waiting room and read Dr. Seuss to me and then have me recite Dr. Seuss back to her in tandem.
Keith did not know that I reconnected with my gift of poetry during these past few weeks yet here he was inspired to focus on "Running the Race," the poem that began the journey for this most unlikely Boston Marathon finisher and runner and that connects the dots back to Miss Holly, physical therapist, curly hair and a warm broad smile.
I encourage you to visit TwoTim47.com. Be inspired by his writings, his interviews and his own journey as he keeps the faith at work, on the roads and with his family. Follow this link to the podcast, "Polio Survivor Turned Boston Marathon Finisher."
I am so excited for these next chapters in my life as I go the distance with strength and courage on the roads and in my life.
From my heart to yours,
Mary
Be sure to visit my website by following this link.
My books are available on Amazon.
Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems to Heal Your Life
Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing Hope and Possibility that chronicles the first 7 years of my healing journey:
And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):
No comments:
Post a Comment