The weather forecast called for rain and thunderstorms on Sunday. The pool at our gym closes with the threat of thunderstorms even though it is an indoor pool. We weren't concerned about the possibility of running in the rain on Sunday so we decided to swap our run day for a pool day. Tom and I had an amazing one hour workout on Saturday as I continue to enjoy being in my body after years of struggle due to the effects of paralytic polio and trauma.
When we woke up on Sunday morning, I felt this incredible pull to go to Jamaica Pond for our run. Ordinarily, if there are no parking spaces, we choose another venue but I suggested to Tom that we park at a little parking lot down the hill from Jamaica Pond. A little extra mileage would be fine.
Our run began with a steep uphill. The good news about having a steep uphill at the beginning of a run when you are doing a loop is that it means a downhill at the end of the run!
As we got on Jamaica Pond's path, I said to Tom, "Can you believe the last time we were here was in January shortly after Bermuda? We had to abort the run because the ice was too thick and there were not enough clear patches to get in a safe run. The temperatures were also in the teens without the wind chill."
I went on to marvel at the lush green trees that were once bare and how, as runners, we get to be in tune and in step with the seasons.
As runners, we are also in tune and in step with the Universe.
As we made our way around the Pond to the Boathouse we saw a gathering of people. Last year we saw a wedding and thought it might be another wedding.
We debated whether or not to stop and ask what was going on but we were swept up in the gathering and felt compelled to ask. The sister of the brother who started the organization, Boston for All explained to us that Boston for All holds different events and donates the proceeds to different organizations. Today's Run for All2 was supporting MIRA, Massachusetts Immigration and Coalition Agency. The woman who greeted us had a powerful elevator speech about the organization and reassured us that if we signed up for their mailing list, they do not sell it to anyone else. There was no pressure to do anything.
We decided to pause our run and sign up for their email list and when we got home went to their website:
Boston For All is comprised entirely of friends and neighbors concerned about the direction that the current politics of our time has taken our country. We came together after digesting the shocking results of the 2016 presidential election seeking to find some way to answer the question, "What can I do to help my nation be what I believe it should be?"
With our fundamental question in mind, we decided that we would work for inclusion of all people in our community and our nation through raising money for worthy causes. It is our mission to make giving fun and simple - just show up, enjoy some great times with others in your community, and open yourself up to possibility and inspiration. Check out our listings below to see what we've done so far and what's coming up.
We do not keep any money at all that is raised during our events. Thanks to our wonderful sponsors, we have very minimal expenses to cover. After that, it's all profits directly to the good people preserving the dignity of our nation through their hard work!
The gentleman wearing a Run for All tshirt with a gold Staff sticker on the shirt
asked us if we were from Jamaica Plain.
"No, we're from Brookline," I commented.
"Well most of us are teachers in Brookline," he said.
"Our kids went to the Brookline schools," Tom said, and I added, "A very long time ago!"
"Well I've been there awhile," he said. "What's your last name?"
He immediately remembered our son Tom (who now calls himself Autumn) who was in one of his first classes at the high school in Honors Geometry as a freshman in 2002 and that he came to our house for the twins' high school graduation party in 2006. He shared with us how our son always marched to the beat of a different drummer. He recalled with fondness how our son visited him at the High School after he came back from volunteering in the Lower Ninth District in New Orleans now ten years ago!
"How is he doing now?" he asked cautiously knowing how many millenials are struggling these days.
His only concern was that whatever path Tom decided to take that he is happy now.
We told him that yes indeed he is happy although he is working 80 hours a week. He has a passion for farming and to supplement his farming income, he works in IT.
"Interesting combination," Craig replied.
We talked about Boston for All and went on our run.
We passed members of Boston for All, including Matt O'Malley, City Councillor for the City of Boston and kept saying, "What are the chances that we would 'run' into this today and see one of our son's former teachers."
It gave us a boost of hope for the world and reminded me that through the sport of running I am in tune and in step with the flow of the Universe.
From my heart to yours,
To your health and wellness,
Mary
Proud to be a part of Friends of Blue Diamond Athletic Displays, Inc.
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:
Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):
Coming soon *** The Adventures of Runnergirl1953 ****
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