Blogger Spotlight: The Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation

Losing a child is the greatest loss a parent can ever endure. It's something you never get over yet a loss that can be transformed allowing Love to prevail. Joseph Scott Middlemiss would have turned 11 years old on 5/31. Shortly after he grew his angel wings on 9/23/13, Scott and Kate Middlemiss decided to create the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation. The link will take you to Joey's story on their website.

During my meditation on June 20th, I was moved to write a poem to honor how Scott and Kate have transformed their grief into love:
To Kate and Scott on the 5th Anniversary of the Joseph Middlemisss Big Heart Foundation’s Celebrity Scoop Fest
In a world that often seems cruel and unfair you make sure that kindness lights the way
as we gather together to celebrate on this glorious summer’s day.
The 5th Annual Celebrity Scoop Fest brings a big hearted community together full of hope
out of heartbreak once unbearable grieving the Foundation blossomed a new way to cope.
Love heals all and all you need is love as Beatles music will fill the air
celebrity scoopers dishing ice cream, hamburgers hot dogs for all to share.
One little boy born 11 years ago now an angel a spirit so bright
inspires us all to make each day our best, peace and compassion always in sight.
Kindness awards and scholarships as Joey’s legacy you keep alive
he was such an incredible role model to be like him we should all work to strive.
The ripples of kindness and big hearted acts make this world a better place
thank you for having the courage to transform loss into wonder and grace.
Wishing you all of God’s blessings may your mission continue to prosper and grow
as Joseph Scott Middlemiss’ loving kindness in this world continues to flow.

They have created two community events to celebrate Joseph and to keep the legacy of who he was alive. Tom and I were blessed to attend the 5th Annual Celebrity Scoopfest. As Kate explained, they like to think of the Scoop Fest as a way to celebrate Joey's birthday. It's a time to bring together community, families, great food, fun and ice cream! It's also the time when The Foundation gives back with Kindness Awards and Scholarships:





When Tom and I arrived at the venue just shortly after the start time of 4pm, the party was in full swing. A Beatles tribute band was playing, celebrities were scooping ice cream, the smell of grilled hamburgers and hot dogs filled the air. Families and friends were gathered underneath a tent to savor fellowship and food.

My eyes went to the Dream Big table hosted by authors and my good friends Nancy Feehrer and Dave McGillivray:


After getting our food, we sat down and chatted with Team Big Heart member Amanda Muldoon. We 'met' her during her fund raising campaign for the 2018 Boston Marathon. We talked about Kate and Scott and the Foundation and what remarkable work they do. Team Big Heart running the Boston Maraathon raised over $100,000. Here are photos of Amanda's children and their cousins enjoying Scoop Fest:


We introduced ourselves to Michael Burns who will be running the Falmouth Road Race for Team Big Heart:


and had a meet up with Team Big Heart Boston 2018 member Jennifer Sprague and her adorable son Robbie:



Ellie Blumberg will be making her Bat Mitzvah this year. As part of her mitzvah project, she decided to make cookies and donate all of the proceeds to the Foundation. Tom and I bought a package of the cookies. When we met Robbie he was at first very shy so Tom gave him our pack of cookies which quickly made him feel very happy. She was the recipient of a Kindness Award:


Such a special evening meeting people in real life who we met through Facebook through Joseph.

We had our ice cream served up by Chris Lambert of Boston Channel 10 News who said it was his privilege to be a part of this event every year:


He incorporated the event into his Wednesday evening weather forecast!

We could all feel how Joseph blessed us with wonderful weather.

I reconnected with Andrea Walsh, board member, running on Team Big Heart for Falmouth who I met during the Boston Marathon Expo at the Dream Big booth. I am in awe of how quickly everyone becomes friends through Joseph.

Lyndie Shaw Board Director whose father owns Shaw Farm talked with us about what an honor and a privilege it is to be able to host the Scoop Fest each year.

After the Awards Ceremony, a local youth dance troupe took center stage wearing costumes that said no bullying zone on them. You can briefly see their performance in this video and feel the love pulsating through everyone who attended the event:



As we were leaving the event at 6:30 there were more waves of people stopping by to feel the Love and honor Joseph's memory.

The 2nd community annual event for the Joseph Middlemiss Big Heart Foundation happens around the time Joseph grew his wings. The 5th Annual Middlemiss Big Heart 5K is happening on September 22nd. Dress in your favorite Superhero outfit and run, walk or roll the course. Follow this link to register. Team McManus is registered and I'm so excited for another event where you know that all you need is love to get through the miles on the road and in life!



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 ****

Bermuda Marathon Weekend: Which Place Changed Your Life?

I rarely do the Nametests on Facebook but thought I'd see what the response was when asked the question, "Which Place Changed Your Life?"



Of course it was Bermuda Marathon Weekend!

It was the miracle of training for and completing 3 Half Marathons in as many years for me and it was all the moments of miracles that led up to Team McManus' triumphant run around Bermuda.

When we were first reunited as Team McManus in May of 2017 after Ruth Anne's multiple hospitalizations to treat severe depression and PTSD with as many med trials, adverse reactions to meds and programs that were not a good fit, we had trouble finding our rhythm on the roads and in our lives. Ruth Anne had been on her own for 3 years struggling to find her way and Tom and I were empty nesters. We were all determined to experience success as Team McManus.

There was always one constant and an anchor for whatever was happening in Ruth Anne's road to recovery and my continued healing from the effects of paralytic polio and trauma: our dedication and commitment to training for the Bermuda Half Marathon!

We trained in heat and humidity and freezing cold. We learned that quitting was not part of who we are despite bone chilling 17 degree temperatures which felt like I don't even want to know how cold. We ran in the rain and the snow. Every Saturday morning without exception we set the alarm, did our core work, had our breakfast, packed up the running backpacks and off we went to get in our miles.

The left knee that the doctor predicted would need a total knee replacement by now after an MRI in January 2015, was fine throughout the rigors of training. Bone spurs, torn cartilage, degenerative changes, a fatty lipoma, and no gastroc muscle were all reversed through meditation, visualization, journaling and exercises prescribed by my chiropractor/healer, Dr. Ryan J. Means or Dr. Ryan as he likes to be called to build strength and grow a new gastroc muscle. Dr. Ryan introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza that built on the work of Dr. Bernie Siegel for me that I'd been familiar with for years. Dr. Ryan inspired me to take my healing journey to a new level! He left for China to follow his own destiny but we continue to stay in touch. Whenever he visits the States we get together and he reminds me of the power of the body to heal.

I did develop a right hip/groin/back "issue" that was attended to by my chiropractor with whom I started working with in July and ongoing meditation, ice flushes in the shower, warm Epsom Salt baths and a "visit" from the physiatrist I had when I was recovering from paralytic polio as a child. I remembered how he would have me stretch my back to prevent scoliosis and after feeling his presence in the shower one morning, imagined how I felt with him encouraging my body to heal through his kind words, his touch and his encouraging words.

Once we finished our last long run, 12 miles, simulating race day, I knew that I could go the distance for a threepeat.

Returning to Bermuda with Ruth Anne was magical. The last time we had been on the Island together, I was using a wheelchair at the airport and sporting a toe up leg brace using a cane to gingerly walk from our hotel nor far from the center of Hamilton and back. I cried when we walked down the stairs on the tarmac and there was a wheelchair waiting for another passenger.

There were signs and magic everywhere on the Island.

The first evening we had dinner with Denise and Lanette at The Pickled Onion:


and of course were able to find Denise and Lanette pre-race:


Ruth Anne and I walked the beach together:


We had a sign that God and our dearly departed friend Herb Simmons who introduced us to Bermuda in the late 90's were watching over us at our first breakfast at Windows on the Sound:


Despite many fears leading up to race day about being able to trust my body, and the pain in my right hip/back/groin I knew that I could not give into them. Part of me felt that everybody would have understood if I would have chosen to not start the race BUT how could I miss out on all the fun that I worked so hard to achieve?

When we landed in Bermuda, Ruth Anne was moved to say out loud, "I made it! I'm not in the hospital!" We went through several "close calls" as we navigated outpatient mental health care but having her eye on the prize - getting to Bermuda to run the Half Marathon was potent medicine.

Ruth Anne, Tom and I discovered our strength, our will, our determination, our faith and above all else the power of our Love to train for and cross the finish line of the Bermuda Half Marathon 2018.

The Bermuda Half Marathon changed our life as did every step of every mile that got us to the starting line, through 13.1 miles and to crossing the finish line.





To your health and well being
From my heart to yours,
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:


And my latest and greatest book - Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance (With a Foreword by Jacqueline Hansen):

Countdown to Bermuda: Slowing Down and Savoring the Moments

This morning on Facebook, Jamie-Lee, my earth angel at mile 12 of Bermuda Marathon Weekend 2017 posted this photo along with the caption: "How did you start your day? #oneofmyfavouriteplaces"


We chatted about the photo and she said that when we come over we should visit John Smith's Bay if we hadn't already visited there. It is in fact along the Bermuda Half Marathon course. I remember saying "Oh my God - this is breathtaking" when we ran Bermuda in 2016. Jamie-Lee nailed down the exact location for me along the course for me and added, "Cue the omg's."

Last year I was so focused on my time that I didn't take time to take in the magnificent vistas that are Bermuda. I had a whole different vibe last year going into race weekend. I was tired from the way I was handling or should I say not handling stress in my life. I had an attitude of I have something to prove by running a second CONSECUTIVE Bermuda Half Marathon. I went out way too fast and by mile 10 suffered cramping that got worse as time went on. However the grace in that experience was that I got to meet Jamie-Lee and healed a memory from when I was a polio survivor.

After I got excited seeing Jamie-Lee's photo and chatting with her on Facebook, I reflected on Bermuda Marathon Weekend 2018. We amped up our miles early on in the training so that we could make adjustments to accommodate the weather. I can train through any weather once I set my mind to do it but I wanted and needed to hit our 12 mile run outdoors before snow and ice hit Boston. We have been very blessed to be able to get outdoors for every training run except one on the treadmill last Wednesday. Saturday we may need to go indoors for a 5 mile run since it looks like the weather is going to be raining and cold. I feel better prepared mentally having run outdoors. We braved the bitter cold and pouring rain for double digit long runs. We ran in heat and humidity, rain and last week snow showers. We have our fueling and hydration plan set. I have our list of things to pack and to do list on the fridge. I open my heart knowing that the Divine is with us every step of the journey.

The hay is in the barn and I am going to savor the moments of taper time. I know in every fiber of my body and Being that Team McManus is trained and ready for 13.1 miles on the beautiful Island of Bermuda. As Ruth Anne said while we were training for 7 miles on Heartbreak Hill last week, "You know what ma? If we do the half in 5 hours who is going to care? All that matters is we have a good time and we finish." Interestingly enough, my pace on all hills was one of my fastest times during our training!

This year's trip to Bermuda is a vacation with a half marathon on Sunday. Team McManus has been through A LOT during these past 3 years and we are looking forward to time together on the beach, by the pool and in the sun eating delicious food and being with dear friends.

Rather than stressing over getting in that last long run around Christmas, we only have 5 miles on tap for this weekend, I can enjoy the holiday and celebrating my birthday as my body recovers from these months of intense training. It's our first Christmas celebration together in 4 years! Presents are wrapped and under the tree, the menu is planned, the house is cleaned and we have a beautiful day planned with a delicious breakfast, Christmas music playing in the background, playing cards, checkers, puzzle time and perhaps renting a movie. It will be a day to celebrate the miracle of healing in our lives and how we have gone the distance in overcoming physical and emotional challenges.

Tom is on vacation next week. It's an ideal time for us to get our clothes organized and check off items on our Bermuda to do list while spending quality time together. We get to pause and take a breath giving thanks for our abundant and beautiful life.

While I'm excited to have received invitational entries for Team McManus to run the 2018 Bermuda Half Marathon Weekend and to enjoy 13.1 miles with a full complement of Team McManus, my focus is on slowing down and savoring the moments.

To going the distance with strength and courage
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):

Countdown to Bermuda: A Time to Celebrate

After Saturday's sweet sensational 7 miles on Heartbreak Hill, I had this stunning realization. It's time to celebrate that I am trained for a third half marathon in as many years.

I celebrate the miracle of healing in my life. Three years ago at this time I was sidelined by a very serious knee injury. I was told to prepare for a total knee replacement in a few years and that running was not going to be a part of my future. It was suggested that I return to the Post-Polio Clinic for a reevaluation and to see what "they" could do to help me manage Post-Polio Syndrome which was going to eventually progress. I had an atrophied gastroc muscle; there was nothing I could do about that - it was like that since I was 5 years old as a result of paralytic polio. I could give PT a try. Everyone around me shrugged - physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, a physiatrist and a massage therapist-and told me I needed to give up running.

But deep within my soul I knew there was another way based on what I had already accomplished in my healing journey healing the effects of paralytic polio and trauma. I'd written poetry asking the question how would I ever reclaim my life, which coincidentally is the first chapter of my book, 'Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance,' and yearning to run unencumbered and free. The first poem I wrote, "Running the Race" foreshadowed my running of the 2009 Boston Marathon even though I'd never run a day in my life. I wrote it as I sat in a leg brace using a cane and a wheelchair at times for mobility; I'd been told to prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

The Universe delivered Dr. Ryan J. Means to me; a chiropractor who in turn introduced me to the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza.

With Dr. Ryan's healing touch, chiropractic care and his power of belief in the body's natural ability to heal we got to work to heal the knee injury, grow a new gastroc muscle and get me back to the sport of running that has been my therapy and my joy since 2008. I devoured Dr. Joe's "You Are the Placebo" and have now moved on to reading "Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon" and practice his meditations. Tom and Ruth Anne have blessed me with a trip to Toronto for a day long workshop with Dr. Joe in May and I'm looking forward to doing an Advanced Workshop with him.

As I'm reflecting on my upcoming Christmas birthday I have so much to celebrate this year. It's great having an end of year birthday where I can reflect not only on the end of another year of my life but another year.

2017 was a year filled with intense challenges and incredible triumphs!

I was able to break free from a relationship pattern that plagued me for years! I crossed the river of change, a phrase that Dr. Joe uses, walking away from someone and a situation that was toxic for me. What glorious things happened and what wonderful people flowed into my life.

I've reclaimed my voice, my message, my passion and my purpose sharing my journey and letting others know what is possible.

Poetry has begun flowing out of my soul again and I've reclaimed this beautiful gift.

From a recent morning meditation:

Leave The Old Self Behind
From worrier to warrior to one who is a beast
Transformed from meek and mild who felt she was the least.
At 5 years old you took my hand although no hand to hold
If you decide to choose this life there will be treasures to behold.
The dark night of the soul I’ve known and choices came from pain
The old self behaviors from those I now refrain.
A new song stirs within my heart joy and love now fill my soul
They tried to beat and break me now I’m free and healed and whole.
The old self tried to fix and mend and tend to others strife
The new me binds my own wounds others journeys are their life.
Compassion kindness gratitude inspiration light my way
Fellow travelers like hearted come along and join my play.
The future is my present the past now cleansed with light
Leaving my old self behind all hope and healing now in sight.
Affirming my Divinity my birthright now I name
Never to be robbed again my life I now reclaim!

Ruth Anne our daughter has made a miraculous recovery after suffering with severe depression and post traumatic stress for 3 years. The first half of the year was intense as she wrestled with whether or not she wanted to live. We then had to work together to get resources in place that would support her recovery. We are so blessed to be where we are today with supports in place for her to now heal and recover. I remember those first training runs that were such a challenge. Team McManus hadn't run together since the 2009 Boston Marathon and Ruth Anne was finding her footing in running and in her life. We celebrate having gone out together every single Saturday since mid-May to get in our runs building mileage along the way. We are Bermuda Marathon Weekend ready!

That dear friends and readers is something to celebrate!

I released "Going the Distance: The Power of Endurance" and as a year end gift to myself, I edited the book to more accurately reflect MY journey and added in an Epilogue to bring the readers up to date. I've begun work on my next book, "The Adventures of Runnergirl1953".

Next Monday I celebrate my 64th birthday. On 3/4/18, Tom and I celebrate 40 years of marriage.

Now that's really something to celebrate!

When 2017 began I was experiencing a lot of stress that I now realize I had a part in creating and perpetuated my suffering because we don't know what we don't know at the time. By July 4th, I declared my independence from that person and situation. The stress of Ruth Anne's journey was heart breaking yet I knew we were all surrounded by love and prayers. As Ruth Anne now says, "I always knew that the Universe had my back."

We are ending 2017 on a very high note with so much to be grateful for inside and out. Tom received a promotion at work with a significant raise. Ruth Anne is healing and looking forward to getting back to work next year. I'm back on track with my journey mind, body and soul free from those behaviors driven by the past that created so much pain and suffering in my life. We have the gift of friends and a wonderful village. My heart overflows with Love and gratitude for the gifts, the blessings and challenges of 2017.

It's a time to celebrate!



To going the distance with strength and courage
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):