"Creating better memories" - Part 2

There are so many stories of survivors' resilience and creating better memories than those we all have from 4/15/13. While many wounds are reopened and raw with the penalty phase of the trial happening in Boston, those wounds will heal and all that will remain are these better memories as we continue to move forward in our lives; as our love, strength and resolve as a Boston Strong survivor family continue to grow.

Hafsa Lewis Labreche had some training in emergency medicine which she was able to use to help save the life of Brittany Loring on 4/15/13. Together they forged a friendship and a Foundation to help trauma survivors. Her thoughts after running the 2015 Boston Marathon:
I am so OVERWHELMED with love and support it is seeping through my pores. I never in a MILLION years thought I would (or could) run a Marathon... let alone, arguably, the greatest Marathon in the world. Before this journey I had never run more than 8 miles…what I have learned in these last few months is that you are capable of FAR more than you could possibly imagine. If you TELL yourself you can do something…you absolutely CAN. Face your fears head on or as my dear friend Ben Foley says “Embrace the Suck". When I took that left on Boylston St yesterday, I took back an image of the Finish Line that has been seared in my memory for the last two years, whats more, I ran for a cause that has become a big part of me in so many ways. Saying "thank you” doesn’t quite seem like enough, to all of those who supported me, listened, gave advice and pushed me until I felt like I couldn’t do it anymore…you have all unequivocally changed me as person. I am honored to be the first Boston Marathon Runner for the The Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery and I know I will certainly not be the last! Boston Marathon 2016?....who's with me?!


She was planning to run the full marathon but her doctors advised her it was too soon after her November amputation. Rebekah Gregory DiMartino was at Ground Zero on 4/15/13. In November she made the decision to amputate her leg after numerous surgeries and being confined to a wheelchair. Her reflections on running the last 3.2 miles of the Boston Marathon on Monday and crossing the finish line:
I am beyond humbled at the support I have gotten around the world by crossing the finish line at the Boston Marathon yesterday. I do not feel deserving of so much recognition though, especially when there were thousands of amazing people who worked so hard and ran the entire thing. I'm totally in awe of the sheer power that they exuded.

And while that is what I originally set out to do, I was only able to go in at the 23 mile mark per doctors orders earlier in the week. Because even with as hard as I've worked and as much as I have trained, my leg still is not healed enough to endure the beating of the full marathon since I only had my amputation in November. So I had to make the tough decision to compromise and only try to run 3.2 miles. And believe me..it was tough because I was totally bummed about it. So we came up with 3 miles because each one symbolizes a month of learning to walk on my prosthetic, Felicia (who came into my life January 7th.)

And yesterday EVERYTHING was working against me. The rain alone, caused other injuries I have to flare up, and my leg was so swollen and in excruciating pain as a result. About half way through I hit a small pothole with my running blade. It wasn't enough to make me fall, but it was enough to make my knee twist pretty hard and be escorted in a cop car up the road another 1/2 mile. I stopped for adjustments. (To add more socks as my leg shrunk for all my fellow amputees out there.) And overall, I honestly have just had way more successful runs. But that's life right?

And when I put everything into perspective, for me it wasn't about how many miles I could run. It was that I COULD run. 6 months ago, I couldn't even walk. And while I worked as hard as I could to prepare for the entire thing, the most important mile to me was Boylston Street. That moment when I got to run past the place where I nearly lost everything, and not stop until I made it across the finish line.

That is the single reason why I was so overcome with emotion when I fell down to my knees at the end. Because to me, by doing that, I was reclaiming my life. I was showing myself that I am not destroyed. And even though I am not up to 26.2 miles quite yet, what I am....is stronger. And there won't be a day that goes by that I don't try to show that because no matter what...I am also very BLESSED. And yesterday was only the beginning....of many many more miles.

Thanks to each of you for your overwhelming support, and for being a part of my journey.

"This is the day I take my life back." is the caption for this photo:


"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7


One would think that after all that was lost near the finish line on 4/15/13, that the Richard Family would stay as far away from the Boston Marathon as possible and yet there they were on Monday, creating better memories cheering on all 73 members of the Team MR8 Foundation. Sean Astin eloquently shares his observations:

Boston Marathon 2015. Finish Line.
Denise and Jane Richard are cheering and smiling as each of the 73 members of their Team MR8 come across.

I did what I said and tried to honor young Martin Richard (8yrs old) as I passed the site of the tragedy, by reflecting on everything that happened that day and since. After 4hrs and 49 minutes of cold and rainy 26.2 mile crowd fueled, leg demolishing awesomeness, I had prepared myself to end the run on a note of reverence.

Then there they were, Jane (9yrs old), standing, jumping up and down, with her prosthetic leg, courtesy of that awful day and Martin's mom, Denise with a huge smile of, can you believe it, gratitude of all things. A smile back and a kiss on the hand later, I turned and lost it.

News media and others around, so I bottled it, but something wonderful happens inside when the electricity of greatness visits you. This family, no fear, not a shred of perceptible anxiety, even if they privately had some. They were enjoying themselves. What a lesson. What an incredible demonstration, not just of resilience and faith and goodness, but of grace and wisdom. It's people like this that are the best hope for advancing our too often beleaguered civilization. This is what progress looks like.

My answer was to race back to the starting line in Hopkinton and alone, in the dark and comically stormy night, cycled my way back across the 26.2 mile Marathon route. Even though they had a 2.5 hour head start, I caught race director, Dave McGillivray and his intrepid amphibious running mates and their motor cade, 800 yards from the finish line.

Unreal.

That duathlon was the official kickoff to my Ironman Kona training. October 10th on the big Island of Hawaii, I'm gonna test myself again.

But for now, I'll simply saturate in yesterdays overwhelming and gratifying experience.

Our Team MR8 raised over $780,000. My friends, family, colleagues, supporters, fans and all of you here on Facebook, Sponsored my run and raised $22,000. There were, I believe 450 of you all, and I estimate that the average donation was between $25 and $50, with a few people putting in $1k or more that jacked the number up a little higher.

You all gave the Richard Family and the foundation they established in their late son's honor a financial boost. This money equals just a little more power to make some decisions to help a bunch of people. Good work everyone! I thank you with every fiber of my being.

As for all of you who made personal #run3rd dedications for your loved ones and causes close to you, I read them all and I carried them all in my heart as I ran. As predicted, Team MR8 and your trust bolstered my run so so much. So, thank you for those.

You can still donate to the Team so if you feel like it, here's the link:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/SeanAstin/bostonmarathon2015

Much Love, Respect & Gratitude Always,

Yours,
Sean



Be blessed and journey well. Here's to all good things!

My latest book, "Journey Well" is now available on Amazon along with all of my inspirational books. 50% of book proceeds are donated to the Massachusetts Resiliency Center, a safe, welcoming space for survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing to heal and stay in touch with one another; a virtual hub for a widely dispersed community whose lives have been impacted by the tragic events of April 15th and the events that followed.

When terror struck the world's oldest and most beloved marathon on April 15, 2013, it was a defining moment in Mary McManus’ life and the lives of all those in Boston and around the world. It was her wake up call to return to the sport and community that have been medicine and a lifeline for her throughout her marathon of healing the late effects of paralytic polio and experiencing 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent. Mary captures the essence of Boston Strong through her experience of the 2014 Boston Marathon and as she profiles the people who are Boston Stronger. Through her blog posts, poems and journal entries woven together with excerpts from her memoir, “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility,” you will experience, through one woman’s journey of transformation and healing, that no matter what happens to us, we can all learn to journey well.

Countdown to Boston: Resilience, Joy and Determination!

Remember the theme from "Cheers"? Where everybody knows your name.... Well today out on Beacon Street on part of the Boston Marathon course nobody knew anybody's name - well except for that special moment when I saw my friend Jess Lanzoni out on Beacon Street - yet everyone knew each other. Wearing my 2009 Boston Marathon Jacket and that knowing smile of a marathoner, I got in my 2.75 miles (more about my run in another post) among those either getting in their last long run for Boston or tapering to the big day two weeks from Monday.

People in the greater Boston area awoke to thunder, lightning and pouring rain. Hafsa Lewis Labreche, running for the Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery had posted on Facebook yesterday for us to please pray for not pouring down rain for the entire time of her 20 mile run. I thought Mother Nature was very amusing after the winter we had to put on this display early this morning as marathoners are preparing for Marathon Monday but I remembered that everyone had joined in prayer for Hafsa's run. I heard the thunder fade into the distance and the rain end. I smiled.

Runners were running the course in both directions. After I had reached my halfway point, I turned around and was greeted by throngs of runners training for this year's Boston Marathon. We'd smile, high five and I'd see that eye of the tiger in everyone who passed me. No words were exchanged but we knew...we carried in our hearts the magic that is the Boston Marathon. True to this year's slogan, There's only one Boston.



Several runners from Team MR8 passed me. I applauded and cheered them on. No words were needed. We all knew. We exchanged glances, and then smiles and high fives. It's what Martin Richard would have wanted; no more hurting people peace and being united for the good of all.



The wind kicked up and I was running against the wind and uphill but there was an energy that carried me through to the end of my run. Boston's resilience was evident once more as the sun was shining and despite the wind, everyone seemed to know Spring is returning to Boston. We weathered another Boston winter and came out victorious just as we weather the wake of the events of 4/15/13 and continue to run the race set before us with endurance.

After my run I came home, showered and got ready to meet Hafsa and Brittany at the base of Heartbreak Hill.

Their smiles were radiant! Hafsa had done her longest run yet with 3 more miles to go to put her final long run in the books and Brittany ran with her on the hills for FOUR miles! Talk about strength and resilience. Although I had not met Hafsa in person and only met Brittany once at her fundraiser, we hugged each other with the love that family has for one another with a familiarity and a knowing sharing the joy of feeling Spring returning to Boston. We talked about the power of prayer and how on Marathon Monday the energy of the crowd along with all of those praying for her journey will be like the tailwind that was at her back today carrying her through the Newton Hills

While Boston now has a new normal as we countdown to Boston runners' resilience, joy and determination was palpable along the Boston Marathon course. Out of the cloud of destruction that happened on 4/15/13, the sun is shining and runners, survivors and their families transform the darkness into goodness and light.

It is:
2 weeks
15 days
379 hours
22757 minutes
1365428 seconds

and counting ... until Boston runs as one again.

Journey well!

My latest book, "Journey Well" is now available on Amazon along with all of my inspirational books. 50% of book proceeds are donated to the Massachusetts Resiliency Center, a safe, welcoming space for survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing to heal and stay in touch with one another; a virtual hub for a widely dispersed community whose lives have been impacted by the tragic events of April 15th and the events that followed.

When terror struck the world's oldest and most beloved marathon on April 15, 2013, it was a defining moment in Mary McManus’ life and the lives of all those in Boston and around the world. It was her wake up call to return to the sport and community that have been medicine and a lifeline for her throughout her marathon of healing the late effects of paralytic polio and experiencing 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent. Mary captures the essence of Boston Strong through her experience of the 2014 Boston Marathon and as she profiles the people who are Boston Stronger. Through her blog posts, poems and journal entries woven together with excerpts from her memoir, “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility,” you will experience, through one woman’s journey of transformation and healing, that no matter what happens to us, we can all learn to journey well.

Fundraising Friday: Meet Hafsa Lewis LaBreche "Because in the wake of tragedy you can still find ways to celebrate life!"

Often times, my Fundraising Friday feature is written by me with quotes from the person who I feature. Today, Hafsa is going to tell you her story in her words about why she is running the 2015 Boston Marathon for the Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery.

"When I sat down to think about how I wanted to tell my story about why I am running the 2015 Boston Marathon, I couldn’t write it. I was stuck. My first attempts seemed too “newsy”, like I was reporting the events of what happened that day. I realized then that I have never openly talked about it from my perspective. It has naturally been tied to Brittany’s story but also to the stories of Mike, Charlie, Jason & Ben who helped Brittany too. As excited as I am to tell my story, I am also apprehensive. It is, after all, the most significant thing that has ever happened to me.

I felt my story needed to be told in a way that didn’t focus too much on the bombings and Brittany’s injuries. I wanted to focus on the Brittany Fund and the message that it’s sending and to stay positive. I questioned how I was supposed to achieve that if all I’m doing is talking about the day of bombings- you can see my dilemma here. Simply put, one story cannot exist without the other. The way in which I met Brittany and all of the others involved is the reason we became so close; it is the common thread that ties us together and how the Brittany Fund for Trauma & Recovery was born. After talking to B about my struggle, she told me to write from my heart, like I was writing to a friend. She told me to not worry if I sounded too grim or like I was bragging. So, that’s how I’m going to tell my story, as if I were writing it to her.

Dear Brittany,

I can’t believe that it’s almost two years after the Marathon bombings. I remember that day so clearly, so much so that if I close my eyes it feels like I’m right there. In the middle of the chaos, in a nightmare. When the first bomb went off, close to where I was standing, I remember thinking that it was a cannon going off. Like a celebratory commencement of the Boston Marathon and the Finish Line…but then I smelled it, felt it, saw it and the next bomb went off and then I realized it was far from celebratory.

I remember when I first saw you. You were standing, hurt, badly. Your leg was bleeding, so was your head and your fingers. I remember thinking to myself, “she needs help”. I don’t remember Mike, Jason or Charlie. I just remember you. I remember taking your arm and guiding you around the corner to Boylston and Exeter. There was a windbreaker- Mike had already tied it around your leg once but it had fallen off. I remember asking someone if it was yours. It wasn’t. So I retied it over the wound on your leg and applied pressure. I asked you, “What’s your name?” You told me your first and last name. I asked you, “How old are you?” You told me you were 28. I asked you, “Are you allergic to anything?” and you told me “Ibuprofen and Bactrim.” I kept asking questions and you kept answering them. You were strong. I was scared.

A firefighter came over to check out your injuries. I reeled them off to him and told him not to unwrap the windbreaker tied to your leg. He asked me if I knew you, I said “no,” and then he asked me if I would stay with you and I said “yes”. When he got up to leave, I thought, “he’s not coming back”- there were just too many people hurt. I didn’t think anyone would come back for us. But more help did come. It doesn’t surprise me now that Mike, Charlie and Jason got help as quickly as they did. They are pretty hard to say no to. They are remarkable.

What happened felt like a terrible dream. Especially in the days that followed when I couldn’t find you. I remembered EVERYTHING about you…I just couldn’t remember your last name! It was hard to find you because you also told me you were 28, which makes sense now because it was your birthday on the day of the Marathon, so you weren’t used to saying you were 29 yet. I can’t believe it took me a week to finally find you and that I had to get on a plane the day I realized you were okay. I thought that you had to amputate your leg. The relief I felt was equal to my concern the week I spent worrying about you.

I wanted to be “okay” so badly after the Marathon I think I convinced myself that I was. In my mind, I wasn’t the one who had been severely injured so I had nothing to complain about. When I first met you and John, I was so nervous. I didn’t want you to feel like I wanted anything from you; I just wanted you to know that I was so happy you were healing and safe at home. The moment I met you I felt like I knew you. I still can't believe we sat in your apartment and talked for over three hours, like we had known each other forever and the real reason we were there didn’t exist.

We have talked a lot about what happened on April 15th, 2013 and that has helped me in a lot of ways. What I love the most about “us” is that we concentrate on celebrating LIFE. We have traveled to exotic places, celebrated milestones in each other’s lives, rescued puppies, had amazing meals and bonded over wine and cupcakes (and don’t forget the dancing….our group is good at that). Until I met you, I had never been to a Red Sox game or a Pats game. It’s like the Marathon never even happened.

I think that’s part of how the BFTR was created, because even in the wake of tragedy you can still find ways to celebrate life. When you asked me to be on the Board, my immediate thought was “we are going to change people’s lives and I want to be a part of that!” When you asked me if I wanted to run the Marathon, I didn’t think about everything that would go into it. It just seemed like an easy decision. Run for the BFTR, run for those who can’t. The more money you raise, the more people we can help. What has come out of this whole experience is that gift and so much more. I have been challenged mentally and physically by what has happened. I have had to face some demons I didn’t even fully realize I had.

I am honored to run for the BFTR. I am energized by the opportunity to raise money that can help people in BIG ways. 26.2 miles seems like an easy feat when I think about what we have all been through over the last few years. In my attempts to find the right words to describe how I feel, I punched some terms into the thesaurus (yes, seriously) and out of pure curiosity I decided to see what pops up when you type in the word “marathon”: Lengthy, long-drawn-out (apparently that’s a word), grueling, difficult and epic.

Epic. That totally sums it up. How we met: epic. The BFTR: epic. Running the 2015 Boston Marathon: epic!

Love always,

Hafsa xo"

The photo was taken after the “One Run for Boston” April 2014 where we ran the last leg for “Team Loring” across the Finish Line on Boylston Street

From left to right: Mike Sokolowski, Ben Foley, Hafsa LaBreche, Brittany Loring, Alyssa (Loring) Tirella, Terence Tirella, Heather M & John McLoughlin (Brittany’s husband).


From left and right- Chris LaBreche, Charlie Gimber, Mike Sokolowski, Hafsa LaBreche, Jason DeSena


Charlie Gimber, Hafsa LaBreche, Mike Sokoloswki, Jason DeSena @ Brittany & Johns Wedding


Ben Foley & I as Mr. & Mrs. Clause at "re-birthday party" thrown for Brittany




Let's make this an EPIC fundraising Friday and donate to Hafsa's Boston Marathon run for the Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery.

To learn more about Brittany and the BFTR, visit my post, "People Who Are Boston Stronger: Meet Brittany Loring."



Journey well!

People Who Are Boston Stronger: Meet Brittany Loring

Five weeks after "being hurt" (as Brittany references what happened to her on 4/15/13), Brittany Loring put down her crutch and walked across the stage to receive her combined degree in Law and an MBA at Boston College. Later that year, she got married and started a new job. Despite extensive injuries to her leg, arm, a fractured skull and shrapnel that could not be removed, she has a smile that lights up the room and a positive outlook on life as captured in this Dear World photo:



She is the definition of resilience with a generous heart and kindest of souls. Because she knew how the outpouring of kindness, love and support helped her to recover in the aftermath of 4/15/13, Brittany established the Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery.

BFTR was created to give back after so much was given to Brittany during her recovery. The notes, donations, and gifts from others helped move her along in her recovery, and she hopes to be able to provide the same comfort and care for others.We provide support to promote health and well-being for families and individuals affected by traumatic events.

Despite falling snow and temperatures, every stool was occupied at the Urban Paint Bar yesterday. As Brittany addressed the 45 people gathered for the Brittany Fund Paint Party, she said that she chose, "Cityscapes" the same painting she and her mom painted at a paint party the day before her life changed forever.



That painting hung in her hospital room and yesterday for Pam and Brittany Loring, a mother and daughter journey came full circle.



The room was filled with friends, family, other survivors of 4/15/13 and their friends and family. It was more than a fundraiser - it was a celebration of life and of what it means to be Boston Strong.

Here are a few photos that capture the joy of the event:


On Christmas Eve, Brittany presented a check to the first beneficiary of BFTR. Brittany recalled that moment with me yesterday and said, "I just wanted it to be so much more than what I was able to give her. We've got to raise a lot more money."

On 4/11/15, you will have the opportunity to join Brittany at the Boston Strong 2.62 Mile Benefit Run/Walk, 10am start, Winchendon, MA. Run solo or create a team for a chance to win prizes for the biggest team. Vendors, raffles, kid-friendly games, etc. to help raise money for the BFTR. All proceeds benefit the Brittany Fund for Trauma and Recovery with the mission of providing support to promote the health and wellbeing of families and individuals that have been affected by traumatic events.

You can register via this link.

Brittany lives with the effects of what happened that day but she does not let it define, defy or limit her. She lives with an attitude of gratitude, with grace and goodness. Brittany Loring is Boston Stronger1



Journey well!