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 ****

Going the Distance: Taking a Pause and Running for a Cause

The sport of running is like no other sport! In addition to the physical, emotional and spiritual benefits of running, we use running to raise money and awareness for important causes.

"My friend wanted to know if I could run a race on October 28th. Her sister and brother in law both died by overdose leaving her teenaged niece and nephew. It's in Plymouth and she said she wished it were closer because she'd really like to have me there. A portion of the proceeds of the race go to her sister's children's Trust Fund." ~Ruth Anne

Although we were not planning to run any races during our training season, it was a no brainer that we should take a week off from our long training run schedule on the road to Bermuda Half Marathon III (especially since we are ahead of schedule) and register for the 6th Annual Trick or Trot 5K happening a week from Saturday.

The opioid crisis has reached epidemic proportions here in Massachusetts. One often thinks of people dying by overdose as junkies in a back alley somewhere with a needle stuck in their arms. Yet addiction can affect anyone in any station in life as what happened to Nicole who died in 2013 and her husband Jay, an attorney, who died in June of 2016 leaving behind a trail of tears and trauma. My nephew died by suicide as a result of drug addiction in March of 2011.

The running community is addressing the crisis of addiction through helping people in recovery to maintain sobriety through running. There are many groups out there who provide a healthy living community, support network and the joy of running as a way to support recovery.

After I posted this on Facebook:
Team McManus is going to take a break from running long and strong on 10/28 to run a race to support a great cause. One of Ruth Anne's friend's sister and brother in law died tragically as a result of drug overdoses. They left two teenagers and part of the proceeds of the The 6th Annual Trick or Trot 5k to a trust fund for their children. Laura Donahue Brady - this is in your neck of the woods in Plymouth. Would you like to join us? We are taking it nice and easy because as it says on the website BEWARE: While all the roads are paved there are hills...but we know that life happens on the hills. Here's the link to register http://www.southshorerace.com/6th-annual-trick-or-trot-5k10k---october-28-2017.html


I was amazed by the response. One of my friend's said she is not back to running but would come cheer us on; another friend said it's a great race for a great cause and another friend said she couldn't run but would cheer us on from the North Shore and would like a link to donate to the Trust Fund.

Runners rally around each other. We run for our health and wellness but we also run with passion and purpose.

When we ran the 2009 Boston Marathon, we raised over $10,000 for Spaulding Rehab Hospital where I took the first very tentative steps on my healing journey. Tom raised almost $10,000 for Childrens Hospital in 2011. Ruth Anne ran the Nashville Half Marathon to raise money for St. Jude's Hospital. We have also donated to many of our friends' Fall Marathon fundraising efforts for Parkinson's Disease, Ronald McDonald House, Red Sox Foundation and the Houston Food Bank.

Whether supporting our friends' fundraising efforts or taking a pause from our training plan schedule - it feels wonderful to run for a cause.

Follow this link to register for the race.

Here is the address to donate to the Webster Children's Trust Fund: Rockland Trust Webster Childrens Trust Fund
Pilgrim Hill Rd
Plymouth MA 02360

See you at the finish line!

To going the distance with strength and courage
From my heart to yours,
Mary

Be sure to listen to my interview with Keith Cartwright, "From Polio Survivor to Boston Marathon Finisher" by following this link.

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):

Fundraising Friday: Jess Lanzoni and Back on My Feet Boston

Jess Lanzoni at the Tufts 10K with the ladies from Back on My Feet Boston:

"Homelessness can happen to anybody," Jess Lanzoni shared with me when asked about her upcoming marathons in Berlin and Chicago to raise money for Back on My Feet Boston. (BoMF)

Operating in 11 major cities coast-to-coast, Back on My Feet uses running and community to motivate and support individuals every step of the way from homelessness to independence. Our success is measured not only by the health impact of miles run, but also by how many individuals obtain education, employment and housing.

Back on My Feet recruits members (individuals experiencing homelessness) at homeless and residential facilities around the country and begins with a commitment to run three days a week in the early morning. After 30 days in the program, members with 90% attendance earn the opportunity to move into the second phase of the program called Next Steps, which provides educational support, job training programs, employment partnership referrals and housing resources. Almost 80% of individuals who start the program move into Next Steps.

Three years ago, one of Jess's friends invited her to volunteer and run with the ladies at Rosie's Place. While Jess thought she was going to volunteer and give back, she said that she receives way more than she ever gives by running with these inspiring women. "They will be in my life forever," she says from deep in her heart.

Jess already ran the Boston Marathon in 2015 through pelting rain and driving winds to raise money for Back on My Feet.

She is a woman dedicating her life to social justice and philanthropy. In addition to running with the ladies each week, she is on the Young Professionals Advisory Board to explore program improvement, and creative and effective ways to fund raise.

I asked Jess why two back to back marathons? "I've done back to back marathons before. I'm already trained so it's not a big deal and I am so passionate about supporting Back on My Feet."

And when the miles get tough? Jess thinks of the women she runs with and all they have had to overcome on their journeys. "I'll think about the ladies and their stories and know I can always run a little farther."

Let's help Jess exceed her fund raising goal. Please donate to her Back on My Feet Fundraising Page.

Safe travels Jess! Run strong, happy, healthy and with ease!

"Where there is kindness..." Heal the World!

there is goodness and where there is goodness there is magic!"



I had a wonderful opportunity to pay it forward yesterday and practice a random act of kindness. My heart felt full knowing that the Universe is vast and abundant. I felt gratitude for all that I have in my life and wanted to share it with someone I had briefly met in a moment I know was orchestrated by the Divine.

I can only imagine the ripples that my one small action sent out into the Universe from beginning as a prompting in my heart, to the people who helped me execute the random act of kindness, to the person who received it and then all the people she will tell about her experience.

The Boston Marathon bombings and the recent violence in the world created ripples of terror and fear in the world but those ripples were consumed by the tsunami of kindness and heroism and outpouring of love.

I have borne witness to the darkest side of humanity from the time I was 5 years old but I was also touched by grace and had amazing helpers seen and unseen to get me through.



Let us look to the light. Let us allow our hearts to be broken and then open into the fullness of gratitude and love.

Let us create ripples of kindness and goodness in the world.



And remember - where there is kindness there is goodness and where there is goodness there is magic and hope and healing.

The Power of a Hashtag #Give2Veterans

I know first hand that while the VA can provide many wonderful services to help veterans heal, it takes a village to help the heroes and their families heal on the home front. The veteran family is blessed to have the love, support and care of the Bob Woodruff Foundation. For those of you unfamiliar with how the Bob Woodruff Foundation came into existence:
While reporting on U.S. and Iraqi security forces for ABC’s “World News Tonight,” on Jan. 29, 2006, Bob was seriously injured by a roadside bomb that struck his vehicle near Taji, Iraq. In a miraculous recovery, just 13 months later, Bob returned to ABC News with “To Iraq and Back: Bob Woodruff Reports.” Since then, he has reported from around the globe on a variety of subjects for the network. He was honored with a Peabody Award for his reporting on traumatic brain injury.

Bob and his wife Lee Woodruff knew that they had to do something to help those who served to protect and defend our freedom. Their mission:
Since September 11, 2001, 2.8 million troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Now, they’re coming home.

Yet even after they return to the love and support of their families and communities, many will struggle. Physical and hidden injuries are challenging on their own. But sometimes, these injuries can lead to a cascade of other trouble — unemployment, depression, substance abuse, even suicide. Our mission is to ensure injured veterans and their families are thriving long after they return home. That’s why we find and fund innovative programs in communities where veterans, their families and caregivers live and work. That’s how we tackle the problems that can prevent our veterans from fulfilling their dreams for the next chapter of their lives.

As we get ready to celebrate Veterans Day - which I believe should be every day - there is a way for you to help veterans and their families and it's simple and easy as Lee Woodruff explains in her blog post, "The Power of a Hashtag":



“How can we help a veteran?”

We get asked that question all the time. Now I have an answer that allows you to give without opening your wallet.

If you post #Give2veterans on social media, share it or retweet it, our foundation will earn $1.00 for EACH post, thanks to Love the GIVE.

Retweeting someone with that hashtag or sharing on facebook or instagram ALL COUNT as $1.00.

That’s easy. And it all adds up to help us do some good for the injured veteran community and their families through the Bob Woodruff Foundation.

You can cut and paste this post right now and ask your friends to share….

“Do something to help those who served for Veteran’s Day #Give2veterans with @Stand4Heroes — and pass this on!”

Thanks for making a difference on Veterans Day.

Let's #Give2Veterans and make a difference in the lives of those who served to protect and defend our freedom.

Thank you!

The Ironwill Challenge Concludes in Machu Picchu

Bill McCabe leaves for Peru tomorrow to tackle what is known as the world's toughest marathon. On Saturday, he runs the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu concluding his 7 marathons on 7 continents and his Ironwill Challenge to raise money for his dear friend Marc Fucarile.

Thousands of stone steps along 27 miles of trails that wind through the Andes Mountains of Peru to Machu Picchu serve as the terrain for the Inca Trail Marathon, which can take runners as long as 10 or 11 hours to finish. That's right - it's 27.5 miles! After crossing the Boston Marathon finish line, Bill surpassed his goal of running 2620.2 miles for Marc. But he wouldn't stop until he finished what he set out to do a little over a year ago. You can read about the early days of the Ironwill Challenge on the website.



As tough as Saturday's marathon is going to be for Bill, he believes it is no match for the daily struggles Marc faces every day. Last month, Marc underwent what is called "preparatory exploratory" surgery at Walter Reed which was used to guide his next steps for further surgical interventions. He faces 6 months to a year of traveling between his home in Massachusetts and Walter Reed taking him away from his loving wife and young son in an effort to ensure that Marc can live as fulfilling and healthy a life as possible. They are also working to save Marc's "good leg" from requiring amputation.

So as Bill McCabe gives his all in that final push to have run 7 marathons on 7 continents, and running more than 2,620 miles for Marc, let's give it our all and donate to Bill's GoFundMe page to support Marc on his marathon of healing.

BE BLESSED! JOURNEY WELL! TO ALL GOOD THINGS.....

I chronicle the first 7 years of my healing journey after being diagnosed with post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease as a survivor of childhood paralytic polio and 9 years of childhood domestic violence in Coming Home:A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility.


In Journey Well, the journey continues in the wake of my nephew's suicide on 3/4/11 and the events of 4/15/13. Through my journey of healing and transformation, we learn that no matter what life circumstances happen to us, we can always find a way to journey well.


50% of book proceeds from all of my books, available on Amazon are donated to the Massachusetts Resiliency Center to support 4/15/13 Boston Strong survivors and their families.

I am working on my new book, Feel the Heal: An Anthology of Poems which brings together my best poems of the last 8 years and will include my latest poems as I continue to feel the heal and move forward in my life.

The People Who Are Boston Stronger: Meet Lori Tosches and Boston Strong DUCKS - The Power of One

She lives near Hopkinton and she had watched the marathon for years, usually in Ashland - that in between place where runners along the Boston Marathon route rarely see spectators. She would often bring her brother who lived with muscular dystrophy in a wheelchair to cheer on Team Hoyt. Her brother Michael died at age 31 but as Lori Tosches told me, he lived fearlessly and a more full life than some people who die in their 80's. On April 15, 2013, her now older kids did not feel like watching the marathon so she watched on TV...and what she saw tore her heart apart. She knew she had to do something to help.

Lori was inspired to create Boston Strong DUCKS.
Boston Strong Ducks was created because like so many others, I felt helpless and sad by the bombings that took place April 15, 2013 at the Boston Marathon.
I wanted to do something.
It needed to be uplifting when there was so much sadness, hurt and pain.
Tiny little ducks helped Newtown, CT children as they took their first steps to returning to school after suffering enormous loss and tragedy.
Ducks are not only cute, but they are very much a part of Boston. This is how the duck was chosen to be the one to travel and carry our message.
I started sending out 100 ducks with the positive Boston IS Strong message to facebook friends . Now, that 100 ducks has turned into 1000 ducks and that message has started traveling around the globe.
People around the globe can take a picture of the duck and post it on our
facebook page. We can all connect in a positive way.
Boston Strong ducks can be passed along with the message
BOSTON IS STRONG, we will get back up and we will do it together.

She was inspired by this Adidas quote:
"I am a yellow rubber duck."
Runner, from now on you are a yellow rubber duck. You cannot be crushed. You cannot be broken. You bounce back. You will always rise to the surface. Repeat after me:
I am a yellow rubber duck.
When it hurts, I am a yellow rubber duck
At 17km I am a yellow rubber duck
When your blisters burst: I am a yellow rubber duck.
When you hit the wall: I am a yellow rubber duck.
When you complete the marathon I AM A VERY HAPPY YELLOW RUBBER DUCK."

Lori and I met on Facebook and then met for what turned into a 3 hour lunch at British Beer Company in Framingham; a halfway point from where we both live. We shared laughter, tears and felt as though we had known each other all of our lives. Lori has a humble heart and most people aren't even aware that she is the heart and soul behind Boston Strong DUCKS. As so many great people do, she just gets out of the way and lets Spirit work through her. She said that she would not have been able to do what she does without the love and support of her family. They donated the money that they had saved to go on a Disney Vacation to pay for DUCKS and postage.



Survivors found their way to the community of Boston Strong DUCKS and Lori would be on line with them until the wee hours of the morning. She talked with one survivor and helped him through a very difficult night via Facebook chat. She is not a trained mental health professional; just a woman with kindness, love and compassion in her heart. He told her that he wanted to meet her in person and here she is with Jarold Clowery at Spaulding Rehab:


The One Run for Boston was coming to town. Lori read John Odom's story on his support page. He said that he wanted to make the trip from California to be at the finish line. When Danny Bent, the organizer of the One Run reached out to her and asked if she thought of any of the survivor's who might like to be there, John came to mind. She had no idea how she was going to be able to be a part of getting John to the finish line with his daughter Nicole. All Lori did know was that she wanted to change the memory for John and Nicole. Lori and I are soul sisters. She says yes, wonders what she just did and how is it going to happen and then puts all of her love, energy and intention behind it to make it happen.

John Odom was waiting for his daughter at the finish line on 4/15/13 but never got to see her cross because of the first explosion at Marathon Sports. I love listening to Lori tell the story of how everything came together for a moment that turned the tide in John and his family's healing journey. It was raining and around midnight when Lori and her husband Steve helped John Odom out of his car to get to the finish line. Lori's daughter Michelle was an important part of the support crew that evening and Lori was delighted that she could share that special evening with her daughter and husband.



After Lori called him, Carlos Arredondo came out in the middle of the night to meet John and cheer on the runners:


Here's Lori bringing John in his wheelchair to get a closer look of his daughter Nicole coming down Boylston Street:


His daughter carried the relay torch for the final mile and then handed it to John as they crossed the finish line together:


John told her that they created a new moment at the finish line and that opened the portal to healing for him, his wife and his daughter. And when John Odom paid it forward and gave Lori a check to do something nice for herself, she once again paid it forward and bought the mascot costume for Boston Strong DUCKS:


I can't wait to read more about The One Run in Danny Bent's book, Not All Superheroes Wear Capes, which Lori gave me to me along with a tulip plant, and a goodie bag filled with love, kindness and Boston Strong DUCKS:



When Lori heard that Carlos needed his truck repaired, she was going to see about doing a GoFundMe page to help raise money but with 200,000 miles on the truck, it would be little more than a band aid. Lori harnessed a community together to pay for the repairs and help with labor when Neal Bocian, who owns an advertising company that works for Herb Chambers read an article that was in the Metro about Lori wanting to help Carlos. He contacted Herb Chambers who donated a new truck to Carlos and his wife:



The DUCKS are now all over the world and have become a symbol of hope and healing. They are used to spread random acts of kindness. Lori created a post to attach to a Boston Strong DUCK that reads, "I am a BOSTON STRONG DUCK. No random act of kindness is too small or ever wasted. Please pass me on as you do something kind for someone else and pay it forward. You may post a photo on facebook or twitter. Learn more about the ducks mission at www.facebook.com/bostonstrongducks."



As we were finishing our lunch, Lori had a single rose with a Boston Strong DUCK and note attached. She looked around the room and said she knew there would be someone here she would want to give it to. She brought it over to a mom seated at a booth near ours and presented it with such love and kindness.



When you visit The DUCKS Facebook page it is filled with random acts of kindness and paying it forward along with survivor stories as they pay it forward. It is a place to gather to spread kindness and good works and come together to continue to heal as we all move forward from the events of 4/15/13.

When Lori began to hand write Boston Strong on little yellow rubber ducks, she had no idea that so many lives would be changed, that she would play a pivotal role in helping heal hearts and souls after the tragic events of 4/15/13. But that my readers, speaks to the power of one.

Journey well!

"Journey Well" and all of my inspirational books are available on Amazon.

"Journey Well" is a book about resilience, strength, courage and how we are able to journey well no matter what conditions life hands to us. I profile the people who are Boston Stronger and share how 4/15/13 was a wake up call to me to return to my healing path from contracting paralytic polio at age 5 and 9 years of domestic violence as a child and adolescent.