There is no greater power than the power of Love. When I was first diagnosed with post polio syndrome in December 2006, not only was I faced with the physical challenge of using a brace and a cane and at times a wheelchair for mobility, but I was faced with a choice. Would I choose the path of anger, resentment and self loathing because 'this was happening to me all over again?' or would I choose the path of Love. With love and support from the staff at the International Rehab Center for Polio, I was gently nudged toward the path of Love.
Through self love, intensive outpatient rehab, prayer and meditation, lifestyle changes and the gift of poetry, my body began to experience remarkable healing. As I began to experience increased muscle strength and was rewiring my nervous system through the use of visualization, I declared that I would run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital. Yesterday, I, along with my husband Tom and daughter Ruth Anne finished the 113th Boston Marathon. We even have the medals to prove it!
A year ago, we were running 30 seconds and then walking for 4 minutes and 30 seconds. How is it possible that in just a year, we ran 26.2 miles? As a mobility impaired runner I even qualify to run the Marathon next year because we finished in under 8 hours! Besides the hours of training, grueling long runs, running up hills, doing sprints and speed drills to prepare our bodies for the event, we had an outpouring of prayers and support. Yesterday, those prayers and the outpouring of love from friends, family and strangers along the marathon route fueled us to finish a grueling 26.2 mile terrain in 40 degree weather with a 27 mph head wind.
When my body wanted to quit, I could feel the power of the love as a tail wind guiding me along. I felt connected in love to my remarkable family and am so blessed that we were teammates. Every mile along the Marathon route, I felt as though I was leaving the past far behind me and moving forward in transformation to emerge as a bright, shining star to help others find their path. I knew that I was called to bring inspiration, joy and celebration into this world through my courageous journey; failure was not an option. With a breath of love, I released doubts and fears as once as children, we blew away dandelion seeds to be scattered on the wind.
Dandelion Seeds - Feb. 15, 2009
Open every cell and every trap door in my mind
Dispel the thoughts of doom and gloom, the darkness I may find.
Bring them into sunshine let God's love now light the way
Bathed in glorious grace every moment every day.
The gentle breath of God transforms untruths and lies
Forgiveness for myself and those who taught me to despise.
The past released into the wind no trace can now be found
Joyous expectation dancing freely twirling round.
Mary McManus
www.newworldgreetings.com
www.firstgiving.com/teammcmanus
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